Tell the Governor to direct DSHS: We Cannot Cut Parent to Parent

/in , /by Cathy

[Español abajo]

We need your help now. We just received unexpected news that Washington’s statewide Parent to Parent (P2P) program is at risk of losing its contract as soon as 30 days from now after 45 years of successful operation. This program is a vital resource and we cannot lose it, especially now.

If P2P is cut, families of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in all 39 Washington counties will lose their lifeline of peer support and system navigation. This cut is happening with no public announcement, no legislative vote, and no chance for families to weigh in before it’s gone.

 

It’s not the legislative session; can they make cuts?

The Governor has directed DSHS to look at all their programs and consider cuts they can make now without legislative directive because the budget outlook for the state is very grim.  Parent to Parent has been targeted for scrutiny.

 

Why Parent to Parent matters:

  • Peer support from experienced parents (“been there, done that”) provides immediate emotional relief and practical guidance at diagnosis and throughout the life course.
  • P2P helps families navigate complex systems (education, health, social services), preventing crisis and reducing long-term public costs.
  • It’s a high-impact, low-cost program that reaches families statewide — exactly the kind of investment the state should protect.

Last year’s Parent to Parent impact in Washington:

  • 92,858 calls, emails, and connections with families
  • 5,879 contacts provided in languages other than English
  • 1,056 trained parent volunteers; 622 parent support matches facilitated
  • Mailing lists reached 64,536 parents and professionals; 50+ coordinators covering every county
  • 14 dedicated multicultural support programs (including Latino and African American outreach)

This is a cut, even without a headline. Letting a contract lapse produces the same result as a budget cut — but skips the transparency and public process a formal cut would require.

 

P2P is grounded in state law and has been part of Washington’s core family support infrastructure since 1980. Ending the contract without legislative or public input undermines that statutory commitment.  This especially hurts rural families and families experiencing crisis.

 

Families are the long-term care support for individuals with developmental disabilities – tell the Governor families need to be supported. 

 

What to do — Tell the Governor to direct DSHS: “We cannot cut Parent to Parent. We must continue the statewide contract so families can keep vital peer support and navigation services.”

Take Action Now

  • First, click to use our email tool to send a message directly to the Governor and your legislators.
  • You can also call the Legislative Hotline to leave the Governor and your 3 legislators  a message at 1-800-562-6000
  • If you have time, you can also leave a message for Washington State DSHS Secretary Angela Ramirez by calling Constituent Services at (800) 737-0617 or by sending an email to askdshs@dshs.wa.gov.

Cathy, please act now, or we may see P2P services ending before the summer is over.

Thank you for your advocacy, we couldn’t do it without you.

Cathy Murahashi

Public Policy Specialist

Pídale al Gobernador que instruya al DSHS:
¡No podemos recortar a Parent to Parent!

 

Necesitamos su ayuda ahora. Acabamos de recibir una noticia inesperada: el programa estatal Padre a Padre (Parent to Parent  o P2P) de Washington corre el riesgo de perder su contrato en tan solo 30 días, después de 45 años de operación exitos. Este programa es un recurso vital para las familias y no podemos permitir que desaparezca, especialmente en este momento.

 

Si se elimina Padre a Padre, las familias de niños, jóvenes y adultos con discapacidades intelectuales y del desarrollo en los 39 condados del estado de Washington perderán una fuente esencial de apoyo entre padres y orientación para navegar los sistemas de servicios. Esta reducción está ocurriendo sin un anuncio público, sin una votación legislativa y sin la oportunidad de que las familias expresen su opinión antes de que el programa desaparezca.

 

¿No estamos fuera de la sesión legislativa? ¿Aun así pueden hacer recortes?

El Gobernador ha instruido al DSHS (Departamento de Servicios Sociales y de Salud) a revisar todos sus programas y considerar recortes que puedan realizarse sin una directiva legislativa, debido a que las perspectivas presupuestarias del estado son muy preocupantes. Padre a Padre ha sido identificado para revisión y posible eliminación.

 

¿Por qué es importante el Programa de Padre a Padre (Parent to Parent)?

  • El apoyo entre padres con experiencia (“ya hemos pasado por esto”) brinda alivio emocional inmediato y orientación práctica desde el momento del diagnóstico y a lo largo de todas las etapas de la vida.
  • Padre a Padre ayuda a las familias a navegar sistemas complejos (educación, salud y servicios), previniendo crisis y reduciendo costos públicos a largo plazo.
  • Es un programa de gran impacto y bajo costo que llega a familias en todo el estado, exactamente el tipo de inversión que el estado debería proteger.

Este fue el Impacto del Programa Padre a Padre en Washington durante el último año

  • 92,858 llamadas, correos electrónicos y conexiones con familias.
  • 5,879 apoyos brindados en idiomas distintos al inglés.
  • 1,056 padres voluntarios capacitados; se facilitaron 622 conexiones de apoyo entre padres.
  • Las listas de distribución llegaron a 64,536 padres, familiares y profesionales.
  • Más de 50 coordinadores brindando cobertura en todos los condados del estado.
  • 14 programas multiculturales dedicados al apoyo familiar, incluyendo alcance a las comunidades latinas y afroamericanas.

Esto es un recorte, aunque no aparezca en los titulares. Permitir que un contrato expire produce el mismo resultado que un recorte presupuestario, pero evita la transparencia y el proceso público que requeriría una reducción formal.

 

Padre a Padre está respaldado por la ley estatal y ha sido parte fundamental de la infraestructura de apoyo para las familias en Washington desde 1980. Terminar el contrato sin participación legislativa ni consulta pública debilita ese compromiso legal. Esto afectará especialmente a las familias rurales y a las familias que están atravesando situaciones de crisis.

Las familias son el principal apoyo a largo plazo para las personas con discapacidades del desarrollo. Dígale al Gobernador que las familias necesitan y merecen apoyo.

Qué hacer:

Pídale al Gobernador que instruya al DSHS: “No podemos eliminar a Padre a Padre (Parent to Parent). Debemos mantener el contrato estatal para que las familias continúen recibiendo servicios vitales de apoyo entre padres y orientación para navegar los sistemas.”

Muchas gracias,

Cathy Murahashi

Public Policy Specialist

Looking Back at Our History: 90 years of The Arc

/in , , /by Sarah

The first steps that built the Arc of Washington State

As part of our 90th anniversary, we are sharing some of the historical documents and artifacts that tell the story of how The Arc of Washington State began. These materials were originally collected and curated by former board member, the late Larry Jones, offering a glimpse into the people who came together to build the foundation of an organization that has now served Washington families for 90 years.

The language in these documents reflects the time in which they were written and does not reflect the language we use today. What hasn’t changed is the need for connection, advocacy, and community.

Beginning October 21, 1935, a group of parents gathered in Seattle to discuss forming an organization for families whose children lived at the State Custodial School, now know as Lakeland Village Residential Habilitation Center. This newspaper notice helped spread the word and brought together families who often felt alone in their experiences.

At the first meeting, James F. Oakley shared what inspired him to act after his own family’s experience. He spoke about wanting to help find ways to make life better for individuals living at the institution. His words reflect an idea that still resonates today: families are stronger when they support one another.

On June 4, 1936, the Children’s Benevolent League of Washington was officially incorporated by the State of Washington. That organization would later become The Arc of Washington State.

In July 1939, another set of meeting notes shows the grassroots work that followed the creation of the organization. Parents came together, made decisions, and built an organization one meeting at a time. These handwritten notes remind us of the lasting changes that often begin with people willing to show up and work together.

Ninety years later, The Arc of Washington State continues that work alongside people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, and communities across the state.

Thank you for joining us in reflecting on these important moments in our history. As we continue to celebrate our 90th anniversary, we are reminded of our commitment to inclusion, advocacy, and belonging.

KING5 Story: Community services are essential

/in , , /by Katie Gustainis

“I can guarantee that our family members are here caring for our loved ones…We’re not fraudsters.”

Sandi Gruberg and her daughter Marina are speaking up and out against the claims from HHS Secretary Kennedy that all caregivers receiving Medicaid payments are abusing the system. His comments set a dangerous precedent for threats to home and community-based services that are lifelines for thousands of families and their loved ones with disabilities.

Watch or read the whole KING 5 story and share with your community: https://www.king5.com/article/news/health/parents-of-adults-with-disabilities-fear-medicaid-cuts-after-rfk-jr-comments/281-af0d144e-7b62-47ea-b989-3b0b81b0f82a

Home and community-based services are under threat, especially in light of the latest memo from the Department of Justice that contradicts almost thirty years of established law stating that community services should always be the default, preferred option over institutional settings.

The Arc of the United States has published a helpful statement to clarify what is and isn’t changing and answering some important questions for those in Washington state who want to know more: https://thearc.org/blog/doj-opinion-on-olmstead-threatens-the-right-of-people-with-disabilities-to-live-in-the-community/ 

From The Arc of the United States:

“…the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion that threatens one of the most important civil rights protections for people with disabilities: the right to live and receive services in the community, not be unnecessarily confined to institutions.

The opinion targets Olmstead v. L.C., the 1999 U.S. Supreme Court decision that recognized institutional isolation of people with disabilities as discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). For more than 25 years, Olmstead has helped people with disabilities fight for the supports they need to live at home and in their communities.

This opinion isn’t a court decision. It doesn’t erase Olmstead or change Supreme Court precedent. It also doesn’t take away the ADA, Section 504, or the regulations that protect community living.

But it’s dangerous because rights mean less when the federal government refuses to enforce them. This opinion seeks to undermine one of the strongest protections people with disabilities have from being pushed into institutions when they can and want to live in the community. The DOJ itself acknowledges that this opinion is “out of step” with how federal courts have understood Olmstead.”

Read more: https://thearc.org/blog/doj-opinion-on-olmstead-threatens-the-right-of-people-with-disabilities-to-live-in-the-community/ 

2026 Election Information for Voters

/in , /by Cathy

The outcomes of the 2026 elections will play a significant role in shaping the future of our state and our nation. The Arc of Washington State is committed to helping voters make informed decisions by providing information about candidates and their positions on issues that matter to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families.

Voter Information

To support informed voting, The Arc of Washington State has sent a questionnaire to all candidates for the Washington State Legislature  and the U.S. Congress who provided an email address. The questionnaire asks candidates to share their priorities and perspectives on issues that are important to individuals with I/DD and their families.

Candidate responses will be posted on this web page as they are received, giving voters an opportunity to learn where candidates stand before casting their ballots.

We encourage you to review the responses and use this information as one of the resources you consider when choosing the candidates who will best represent you, your family, and your community.

In this newsletter: the latest news about disability advocacy in Washington State

/in , , /by Cathy

We’re about a month out from the legislative session, but that doesn’t mean things are quiet. Here’s what’s happening and what to watch that matters for people with IDD and loved ones.

Responding to Harmful Language

Thank you to Senator Claire Wilson, Shawn Latham (SAIL), and Kendra Wolf (People First) for publishing an important op-ed in the Seattle Times responding to Representative Leonard Christian’s use of the “R” word on the House floor — and why the problem is deeper than a single offensive word. Read it here.

Budgets, bills, and two key vetoes

 

Good news! The Governor signed all our priority bills that passed the legislature, and he approved the budget.  There were two vetoes in the budget that affect developmental disability services (DDCS/DDA) specifically.

VETO: Dental services at RHCs proviso
A budget proviso directed DSHS to pilot the use of dental capacity at Residential Habilitation Centers (RHCs) for people with IDD living in the community. The Governor vetoed that proviso but made two remarkable acknowledgements:

“Two of the four residential habilitation centers are expected to close once the census reaches a certain threshold, making this only a temporary solution to a long-term barrier to community services.” 

The Governor also recognized the extraordinary barriers to receiving dental services for people with IDD and the need for long-term solutions. He then directed the Department of Social and Health Services and the Health Care Authority, in partnership with representatives from the dentistry profession, “to continue to develop a plan to expand access to dental services for individuals with developmental disabilities in the community. This plan must align with the state’s commitment to community-based living by exploring sustainable solutions for providers in the same communities in which these clients reside.” That planning directive offers hope for real and sustainable solutions.

VETO: DSHS Re-organization
The Governor also vetoed budget language authorizing the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) “re-imagine” reorganization project because the Legislature did not pass implementing legislation or provide funding for it. So what does that mean? Everything old is new again.

Just when you think you have the new acronym down, the Developmental Disabilities Community Services DDCS is now back to being an administration, and the name has reverted to The Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA).

The Rollback: DDA is back

DSHS is increasingly concerned about unnecessary scrutiny from Federal agencies (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services), and that the changes, especially without direction from the legislature, may make them a target that could put their federal matching dollars at risk. So, the DDA rollback is an effort to simplify and avoid complicating things too much.

Leadership  update 

Dana Phelps is the new DDA Assistant Secretary. She previously led the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and has 35 year at DSHS in roles including juvenile justice, child welfare and legislative leadership.  You can read Dana’s introductory note here.

Reimagine DSHS: Frequently Asked Questions | DSHS

What can we expect?

Beyond the name change, you should not see differences- your service providers or your case manager will remain the same.  We heard from leadership that they will continue to work together as a team, and their commitment to the principles around re-imagine for better coordination and easier access has not changed.

Bea Rector, Assistant Secretary of HCLA had this to say:“The takeaway from this message is that while we are making this necessary change, please know that our commitment to you, and the people we serve, remains the same.”

Why the 10-year strategic plan matters

With these organizational changes underway, the 10-year strategic plan for developmental disabilities is more important now than ever. We were able to secure funding this past session to make this plan happen, and now we have is an opportunity to shape the future of our services and determine the best path forward to ensure that our community services are robust. The hope is that in 10 years, we will look back and see that true progress has been made toward accessible services that provide inclusion and a full life for individuals with IDD.

Federal concerns: family caregivers and Medicaid

At the Federal level, there have been serious concerns about comments made by Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) Secretary, Mehmet Oz, regarding family caregivers taht characterize paying them as wasteful, fraudulent, or abusive and suggest families should provide care for free.  The pushback has been swift from both disability advocacy organizations and families.

Family caregivers are the backbone of our care system, especially as we face a national workforce crisis.  Their work isn’t just a service; it is what prevents our loved ones from being forced into costly, restrictive institutions. When individuals have the right to choose their own providers—including their own family—it gives them the opportunity to be independent and have access to the community they deserve.  Family providers are a vital win-win for both families and the system.

Washington families sue the state

Family caregivers are in the spotlight closer to home. Families of children with IDD are suing Washington state, alleging the state fails to ensure that Medicaid-eligible children receive the nursing and care services they qualify for. The outcome desired is that parents of minor children who receive personal care or nursing hours could be paid for caring for their loved one.

Read more about the lawsuit here.

The next few months will be important- for federal issues, the reorganization of DDA and the beginning of the 10-year strategic planning that will shape services for years to come. Stay engages: watch for alerts, reach out to legislators, and stay connected to ensure community-based, quality servvices for people with IDD remain the priority.

 

In Community,

Cathy Murahashi

Public Policy Specialist

The Arc of Washington State

The Arc of Washington State responds to Kennedy’s comments about family caregivers

/in , /by Katie Gustainis

Statement by Stacy Dym, Executive Director of The Arc of Washington State, regarding Kennedy’s comments about community-based services and family caregivers

“The recent statements by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz are a gross misrepresentation of the essential support provided by family caregivers in our country. In Washington state, seventy-eight percent of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) live with and receive care from a parent or a relative. The systems we have to provide the most basic services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are barely sufficient to meet family’s needs. For the parents and family members who provide life-giving care to their loved ones with IDD, financial compensation through Medicaid is often the only reliable option for caregiving.

The value of family caregivers is immeasurable. Kennedy’s claims of widespread fraud by family members are unsupported at best and harmful at worst.

Despite the harmful national rhetoric, Washington state has rightly prioritized investments in community-based services as we continue our decades-long transition away from isolating and outdated institutional care. The Arc of Washington State stands with family caregivers and we urge the federal government to refrain from misrepresenting the invaluable care they provide every day.”

For questions, please contact our team at media@arcwa.org.

The End is in Sight: Keep the Pressure On

/in , /by Cathy

The legislative session is quickly winding down. Bills must be out of the opposite house of origin by Wednesday and out of fiscal committees by March 2. Session adjourns on March 12.

Most of our priority bills are still alive — and that is good news. You can view the status of bills here.

Last Monday’s revenue forecast came in better than expected, giving budget writers some breathing room as they worked to close the gap.

Over the weekend, both the House and Senate released their proposed budgets. We are relieved to report that some of the worst-case scenarios were NOT included:

  • Proposed eligibility changes to waiver and personal care services that would have eliminated services for 2,500 people — nearly 10% of waiver recipients
  • Severe cuts to Early Supports for Infants & Toddlers that would have rolled provider rates back to 2008 levels

This is a direct result of YOUR advocacy.

Legislators told us they heard loud and clear from the disability community that these cuts were unacceptable. Emails, calls, testimony, and meetings made a difference.

Thank you for speaking up.

The Budgets Are Not Pretty

That said, the budgets are still difficult. There is significant red ink and reductions across many areas. Thankfully, most direct services for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) remain intact — but the system itself is taking hits that will affect stability and long-term capacity.

You can compare the House and Senate budgets side by side here.

A Serious Concern: Elimination of Adult Therapies

There is one major provision in the House budget that we did not see coming.

The House proposal eliminates Occupational Therapy (OT), Physical Therapy (PT), and Speech Therapy for ALL adult Medicaid recipients.

The numbers are troubling:

  • Projected savings: ~$8 million in State General Fund dollars
  • Federal match lost: more than $33 million

In other words, the state would lose far more federal funding than it would save.

But the real cost is human.

Therapies Are Not “Extras.” They Are Medically Necessary.

Occupational, Physical, and Speech therapies:

  • Maintain strength, mobility, and independence
  • Help individuals communicate their needs and reduce crisis behaviors
  • Support safe swallowing and prevent aspiration pneumonia
  • Build everyday life skills so people can live, work, and participate in the community

Cutting therapies does not eliminate need.

It simply shifts costs — to emergency rooms, hospitals, institutional settings, and long-term care — at far greater expense.

We do not want Residential Habilitation Centers (RHCs) or nursing facilities to become the only places people can reliably access therapy services. That is a direct blow to community living.

A Forced Choice No One Should Have to Make

While therapies would technically remain available through Medicaid waivers, individuals would be forced to “choose” between therapy services and other essential supports within their limited Individual and Family Services (IFS) or Aggregate budgets — such as:

  • Respite for family caregivers
  • Community engagement
  • Employment supports
  • Behavioral services

This is not real choice. It is rationing.

The good news: this proposal is only in the House budget. There is still time to ensure it does not appear in the final negotiated budget.

 

What you can Do

If this issue matters to you, please contact your House members and tell them:

Do not eliminate PT, OT, and Speech therapy for adult Medicaid recipients. Therapies are medically necessary and life-changing.

What Happens Next?

The House and Senate must now negotiate a final spending plan. The Governor must also sign off — and there are already differences of opinion about revenue assumptions, including reliance on the proposed “Millionaire Tax” (SB6346). More than 100,000 people signed in on that bill, showing how high-stakes this conversation is.In short: the session is not over. Much could still change. Stay tuned.

Your voice matters. We have already seen that advocacy works.

Let’s keep going.

Thank you for your continued partnership. We cannot do this without you.

Why We Need a Roadmap for the Future

/in , /by Cathy

Why Washington Must Invest in Long-Term Planning Now

We are almost halfway through the legislative session, and it has been a flurry of activity—hearings, executive sessions, meetings—it’s all a bit of a blur. Wednesday, February 4, marked the first major cutoff, when bills needed to be passed out of policy committees. The next key deadline was Monday, February 9, when bills must have been out of the fiscal (money) committees in order to stay alive this session.

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been asked whether there is any legislative activity aimed at closing Residential Habilitation Centers (RHCs). The short answer is: no. There are currently no bills this session that would close RHCs.

What is happening is a series of small, bipartisan bills intended to gather information, improve transparency, and preserve historical context—steps that can help inform future decisions. These bills include:

  • SB 5863 – An act relating to the preservation and inspection of state historical records
  • HB 2319– Renaming certain state residential facilities for persons with developmental disabilities takes out the word “school”.
  • HB 2350– Increasing transparency regarding Residential Habilitation Center compliance with specific federal requirements

Last year, one of the primary arguments against closing RHCs was that “there was no plan” for how to transition people and build the necessary community-based supports. That concern is real—and it has been echoed for years.

The Developmental Disabilities Community Services (DDCS) system has produced numerous reports and studies, including  The Rucklehaus Report (2019), which identified significant challenges and outlined thoughtful potential solutions. Unfortunately, many of those recommendations stalled during the pandemic and were never fully implemented.

Last summer, The Arc convened dozens of legislators, community members, and disability policy experts at first National Developmental Disabilities Legislative Symposium to review how far we’ve come in Washington state and what is next for investments in community services.

In addition, DDCS has held multiple listening sessions over the past several years, including through the Legislative and Regulatory Community Council (LRCC). These forums consistently highlighted serious gaps in community supports—particularly for individuals in crisis and people with high and complex support needs. The issues are well known. What we continue to lack is a clear, coherent, and funded plan to move forward.

When Governor Inslee took office 13 years ago, he made what was then ALTSA (Aging and Long-Term Services Administration), now part of HCLA, a clear priority. A robust stakeholder process produced a strategic plan to move away from institutional care and toward community-based services. Today, Washington State is considered first or second in the nation (depending on the metrics used) and is widely viewed as a national leader. In 2023 alone, ALTSA supported the transition of 8,053 people into community settings. Other states regularly look to Washington as a model.

That expertise exists. Now that DDCS is also housed within HCLA, we believe it’s time to apply that same level of intentional planning, investment, and accountability to developmental disability services.

For too long, DDCS has operated with a “band-aid” approach—small, one-time investments each biennium that are deemed sufficient without addressing systemic barriers. This leaves families, providers, and individuals with developmental disabilities in a constant state of uncertainty.

That’s why The Arc of Washington is asking the Legislature for a proviso to fund a facilitated, 10-year strategic plan. This plan would build on existing reports, incorporate the extensive input from stakeholder listening sessions, and lay out sequenced, intentional investments to strengthen community-based services statewide.

We know there is little new money available in the operating budget this session. However, there is funding in the Dan Thompson Account, which was specifically created to benefit the developmental disabilities community and build statewide capacity. Even in this difficult budget environment, there is an opportunity to take meaningful steps forward.

We cannot afford to wait any longer. Planning now is the only way to ensure that future decisions—whatever they may be—are thoughtful, data-informed, and centered on the needs of people with developmental disabilities and their families.

Call to Action

Now is the time for action. We urge legislators to support a budget proviso that funds a facilitated 10-year strategic plan for Developmental Disability Community Services—a plan grounded in existing research, informed by stakeholder voices, and focused on building real, sustainable community-based supports.

This is not about closing facilities today. It is about doing the responsible work that should have been done years ago: planning for the future, addressing long-standing gaps in services, and ensuring people with developmental disabilities and their families are not left without options.

We ask policymakers to use available resources, including the Dan Thompson Account, to begin this work now. Families, providers, and individuals with developmental disabilities cannot afford to wait another biennium for direction. Every year without a plan is another year of uncertainty, another year of crisis placements, another year people with IDD are struggling without adequate support. The time for planning is now—so that future decisions are thoughtful, data-informed, and centered on dignity and choice – and solutions are chartered across biennial budgets and election cycles.

Let’s plan now, invest strategically, and build the system Washington’s developmental disabilities community has been asking for. The question is no longer whether we have the information to move forward—it’s whether we have the courage to begin.

What Can You Do?

Call your legislator at 1-800-562-6000 and ask them to support the proviso that creates a long-term plan for Developmental Disabilities Community Services.

Why a plan for the future is resistance: Our Strategic Plan 2025-2030

/in /by Katie Gustainis

My inbox is full and my heart is breaking. I can only imagine that you might be feeling similarly as we navigate the uncertainty of our country’s political landscape while also worrying about our livelihoods and our families. It’s just…exhausting.

And yet, here I am, in your inbox, reaching out across the distance and the wifi to try and render human connection. I hope that today is a day where you have some energy to keep scrolling and stay with me (but if you don’t, I understand). I’m here to offer a small seed of hope.

Despite how much has changed in our world since I started at The Arc of Washington State five years ago, what has not changed is our team’s commitment to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Truly, each person on our staff came here with their own story and their own inspiration for investing in the IDD community. I consider myself lucky, but I’m so grateful that The Arc is just as lucky.

As we prepare to enter our 90th year of operation, our team is excited to spend time planning ahead this fall. After incorporating the community input we received from all of you earlier this summer, the Board of Directors has approved our new Strategic Plan for 2025 through 2030. While a plan like this starts as words on paper, it has evolved from our commitment to stay the course amidst what may feel like a sea of uncertainty.

The act of planning for our future and setting goals for ourselves is in itself an act of faith. In looking ahead, we resist the notion that there is nothing to look forward to. Instead, we firmly believe that by making a plan we are building the future we want – right now.

READ THE 2025-2030 STRATEGIC PLAN

I’m sharing our plan with you now as a way to hopefully break up the headlines and the heartbreak.

If you, like me, are energized by the idea of building the future together, I also invite you to join our efforts by making a donation to The Arc of Washington State today. Whether it’s $1 or $100 , every dollar counts and every gift is meaningful. If we’re going to achieve our goals, we definitely cannot do it alone.

Together, we can keep going.

Together, we can build something better.

If you’ve stayed with me all the way through this email, thank you for spending some time here today. Please know that I am sending you strength and resilience as we navigate the world around us. If you have questions or if you want to know more about our plans for the next five years, please don’t hesitate to reply here. I look forward to hearing from you and looking ahead together.

DONATE

In community,

Stacy Dym

Executive Director, The Arc of Washington State

CAC Legislative Breakfast Summary

/in /by Sarah

CAC Legislative Breakfast Summary
A celebration of progress and a call to action for our community

 

The Arc of WA is grateful to be an integral member of The Community Advocacy Coalition (CAC), a dynamic alliance comprising over 50 community-based organizations serving individuals with developmental disabilities. The CAC brings together self-advocates, parents, providers, and allies united by our shared commitment to ensure that people with disabilities thrive in inclusive, supportive communities. To join this coalition, organizations must demonstrate not only service to the community but also endorse our guiding values— “Many Voices One Vision”.

On June 24th, the CAC hosted its annual legislative breakfast at the Radisson Hotel in SeaTac. This gathering provided an invaluable opportunity to acknowledge the dedication of our legislators and highlight key issues impacting our community. We are deeply grateful to the eight legislators who took time from their busy schedules to engage with us and hear our voices.

 

Highlights of Our Advocacy Focus:

Housing
We expressed our sincere gratitude for allocating a historic $50 million to the DD Housing Trust Fund Set Aside in the state Capital Budget. Continued investment in housing is critical for individuals living at 15% Area Median Income, many of whom require specialized and supported housing options. Ensuring stable, affordable housing remains a top priority to promote independence and community integration.

 

 

Workforce
We thanked lawmakers for the recent enhancements to rates in community-based residential services, including Supported Living, Home Caregiver Wages, and Adult Family Homes. These funds are vital to sustaining a qualified workforce. We also emphasized the need for ongoing support to achieve rate increases that keep pace with the cost of living, especially for Supported Living services, which are currently not bargained or forecasted.

 

Special Education
We celebrated significant legislative victories—removing the cap on funded enrollment, increasing the education multiplier, extending the right to special education through the age of 22, and granting greater flexibility for spending via the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. We underscored the importance of Washington State upholding the rights of students with disabilities, even if federal protections weaken. Washington state must ensure students are not discriminated against, segregated, or denied access to an inclusive, equitable education.

Employment
While appreciating the appropriation of funds to boost employment and community inclusion in 2024, we raised concerns over the recent reallocation of $50 million, which risks diminishing outcomes and community capacity. We stressed the importance of maintaining and strengthening employment initiatives, particularly for graduating high school students, to preserve Washington’s leadership in the nation for employment opportunities for individuals with IDD.

 

Support for Families
We thanked legislators for increasing respite care rates even when the budget was incredibly tight, and for prioritizing the needs of over 15,000 senior families in our state who require support for planning for the future. We called attention to the need for strategic investment in tiered rates that support individuals with higher needs.

Additionally, we expressed appreciation for continued investments in programs like Parent to Parent, Informing Families, and Information & Education. We highlighted how vital these low-cost, high-impact family support programs are, especially when services are scarce.

OUR THREE KEY MESSAGES:

Protect Our Services: Ensure that Community Services are not cut. These services are not optional! Individuals need these services to live. Our state has a moral obligation to ensure this population is cared for. Individuals with I/DD receive an array of services from many agencies, so when State cuts happen, they end up receiving multiple cuts, which hurts their ability to live successfully in the community. Equal cuts across state agencies are not equitable for people with I/DD.

 

Protect Community Living: The right to live in the community must be protected.  We need to strengthen our community safety net so that everyone has access to what they need.  We must shift resources from institutions to community-based care to prevent future institutionalization.

 

 

Protect Civil Rights: Every person with a disability has the right to live, work, learn, and play in the community.  We must ensure that people with disabilities are not denied services, provided unequal treatment, or relegated to segregated settings

 

This event not only highlighted our community’s needs but also reinforced our collective resolve to advocate for policies that promote inclusion, independence, and equity for all individuals with disabilities. We thank everyone involved in making this breakfast a meaningful step forward in our ongoing efforts.

Pictures from the event: