Proposed budget cuts could cut 5,000 from services
An article appeared in The Columbian detailing devastating proposed budget cuts that would change eligibility for Waiver services and effectively cut 5,000 people from disability services in Washington State.
Click here to take action now to tell legislators to STOP these changes and REJECT the cuts.
From The Columbian:
“Local advocates, residents and service providers are sounding the alarm over changes to eligibility criteria for Medicaid-funded disability services included in Gov. Bob Ferguson’s proposed 2026 supplemental budget.
The changes would make it more difficult for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities to use a state Medicaid waiver that allows them to access resources from the state’s Developmental Disabilities Community Services. They would have to show a greater level of need to qualify for support, which could make it more difficult for Clark County residents to access the services they need, said Tanya English, community impact and systems manager for Peace NW, a Vancouver nonprofit.
By narrowing the criteria eligibility, up to 5,000 people statewide could lose access to services, according to The Arc of Washington State, an advocacy nonprofit.
Those resources include supported employment, assistive technology, life skills training and skilled nursing.
To qualify for a waiver, a person must demonstrate functional eligibility, meaning they undergo an assessment to evaluate the level and type of care they require.”
Read the whole article at Columbian.com: https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/feb/17/advocates-5000-disabled-people-in-washington-could-lose-access-to-services/
“Jason Rockwood, 40, of Vancouver has been working at Pioneer Feed in Ridgefield for 17 years through Trillium Employment Services, a nonprofit organization that helps integrate people with intellectual and developmental disabilities into the workforce.
Developmental Disabilities Community Services connected him to Trillium, which helped him navigate C-Tran’s paratransit service and provided emotional support to bolster his success in the workplace.
Rockwood said supported employment has allowed him to be independent, see more of the community and have stable income. Losing it would make him feel terrible, he said.”
“Alyeia GeBorde, 25, of Vancouver also receives supported employment with Trillium. A year and a half ago, she landed a job at Trader Joe’s, which she said would not have been possible without the support of her job coach.
Together, they were able to find a job that fit her needs since recovering from surgery for seizures. She said receiving support through Developmental Disabilities Community Services has allowed her to get back on her feet.
Without supported employment, she’d be devastated, she said.”
Click here to take action now to tell legislators to STOP these changes and REJECT the cuts.
