RELEASE: Disability advocates letter to DSHS urges alternative campus uses for Rainier School

/in , /by Stacy Dym

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

September 12, 2025

CONTACT: Stacy Dym, stacy@arcwa.org, Executive Director of The Arc of Washington State

Closing the Rainier School: Disability advocacy organizations urge DSHS Secretaries to seek alternative campus uses

SEATTLE, WA – The Arc of Washington State and seven affiliated local chapters of The Arc sent a letter this week to the interim and incoming directors of The Department of Social and Human Services (DSHS) urging them to continue their transition away from the existing, outdated institutional model for care of people with developmental disabilities. Attached to the letter, The Arc included their full answers to the four questions posed in a DSHS ninety-day public comment period that resulted from SSB 5393: Closing the Rainier School.

In their recommendations for how to mitigate the impacts of closure, The Arc reminds the state of Washington’s long history of supporting hundreds of previous residents and families during successful transitions from RHCs to community-based care over the past several decades. They cite the specific transition planning guidelines that are outlined in numerous legislative reports from 2019 through 2023 and urge the prioritization of person-centered planning. They acknowledge that while some institutions have provided necessary care in the past, we now have the capacity and responsibility to offer something better: person-centered, inclusive services that support individuals to live, work, and thrive in the communities of their choice.

Despite fervent, decades-long advocacy to close congregate institutions like Rainier School (also called a Residential Habilitation Center, or RHC) led by people with intellectual and development disabilities who are directly at-risk of institutionalization, the state legislature allowed logistical concerns to delay the closure of Rainier School and impede our progress towards a more just, compassionate, and inclusive system of care for people with developmental disabilities.

The Arc wrote in their concluding answer of the public comment:

“The Rainier School campus represents valuable state assets that can better serve Washington residents through alternative uses aligned with evidence-based practices and civil rights principles. The current campus utilization represents a significant underuse of state resources and flies in the face of current research on outcomes and civil rights protections for people with developmental disabilities. Any alternative use should maximize the productive capacity of this substantial state investment. A thoughtful transition process can honor the economic needs of Buckley, protect state employment, and redirect these resources toward other populations who could benefit from comprehensive residential services delivered in a more appropriate and effective manner.”

About The Arc of Washington State

In 1936, The Arc of Washington State was formed by parents of institutionalized children with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD) who believed their children deserved more – to be included in their communities and to pursue fulfillment and happiness just like everyone else. The Arc has played a pivotal role in changing the public perception of disability and demanding better opportunities for every child’s future. The Arc’s mission is to promote and protect the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively support their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes. Learn more about The Arc of Washington State at arcwa.org.

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DSHS Letter - Rainier Public Comment - 9.9.2025

Critical Developmental Disabilities Infrastructure is at Risk

/in , /by Sarah

Contact Congress: Critical Disability Services Are at Risk

Thank you for your powerful advocacy throughout this challenging year. We know it can be discouraging at times, but please remember: your voice is making a difference. Every story you share, every call you make, and every message you send reminds Congress that people with disabilities and their families are paying attention.

Because of you, lawmakers know we are watching—and they are feeling the pressure.

Congress is back in session after the August recess, and they are now making decisions about next year’s federal budget. The stakes could not be higher for people with disabilities and their families.

 Federal Disability Programs on the Chopping Block

Key programs under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (DD Act) are at risk, including:

  • State Councils on Developmental Disabilities (DD Councils)
  • Protection & Advocacy (P&A) Systems
  • University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs)
  • National Technical Assistance and Training Network

These programs:

  • Support inclusive education, employment, and community living.
  • Fund research and data on disability issues.
  • Train providers, families, and self-advocates to improve outcomes nationwide.
  • Defend rights, prevent abuse, and promote inclusion through advocacy and innovation.

Without them, the health, safety, and future of people with disabilities in every state would be at risk.

What’s Happening in Congress

  • The Senate has advanced a budget that keeps these programs “flat funded”—holding them at current levels, despite growing demand and rising costs.
  • The House is still debating its budget, but reports indicate they are considering deep cuts that could dismantle or entirely eliminate these programs.

Threats to Inclusive Education

Congress is also weighing proposals that would weaken the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) by merging key funding streams into a block grant. This dangerous move could:

  • Cut funding for preschool services for children with disabilities.
  • Reduce the pipeline of special education teachers, counselors, therapists, and paraprofessionals.
  • Strip schools of resources they need to support students with disabilities.

Take Action Now

We need a federal budget that invests in people with disabilities—not one that dismantles 50 years of hard-won progress.

Tell your Members of Congress to:

  • Reject harmful cuts
  • Fully fund the DD Act and IDEA
  • Protect the rights, education, and inclusion of people with disabilities in every community

Send a message to Congress today: Protect disability services. Fund our future.

Act Now!

State-Level Challenges Ahead

Washington State legislators are already bracing for a difficult session, with pressure mounting from anticipated cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and other essential programs. Additional budget challenges are looming:

  • On September 23, the next State Revenue Forecast will be released. Early signs suggest a “down” forecast—making cuts even more likely.
  •  On September 4, Governor Ferguson announced that new federal tariffs are projected to cause $2.2 billion in lost revenue over the next four years.
  •  Nationwide, The Arc of the U.S. is tracking troubling trends: states are already implementing 3% average cuts to Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) and 8–10% cuts to Intermediate Care Facilities (ICFs).

With Washington’s legislative session beginning in January, we will need all hands on deck to defend critical disability services and supports.

How you can prepare:
Stay tuned for upcoming advocacy webinars in December that will give you the tools and strategies to make your voice heard when it matters most.

Together, we can ensure people with disabilities have the services and support they need to thrive.

In community,

Cathy Murahashi

Public Policy Specialist