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Support for Washington families and self-advocates
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 Informing Families Coordinator Levinh Tran shares Informing Families materials at a recent event in King County.
Informing Families Coordinator Spotlight: LeVinh Tran
LeVinh Tran is a Vietnamese community leader, cultural advocate and disability outreach specialist with more than 30 years of experience serving multicultural communities in the Seattle area. She came to the United States as a refugee from Vietnam and has spent decades supporting community service, cultural preservation and public engagement.
In the 1990s, LeVinh helped organize Vietnamese cultural programs and community participation in major Seattle events, including Seafair celebrations. For more than a decade, she has served as a community liaison on City of Seattle projects, helping immigrant and refugee communities take part in conversations about neighborhood safety, transportation, housing, community development and public services.
LeVinh has also spent more than 10 years supporting families of people with developmental disabilities. She is a co-founder of the Vietnamese Family Autism Advisory Board and serves as the Informing Families coordinator for the Vietnamese community.
Most recently, LeVinh represented Informing Families at the King County Developmental Disabilities and Early Childhood Supports Resource Fair at the Microsoft Conference Center in Redmond. She connected families with resources and services that can help them learn more about available supports.
Throughout her career, LeVinh has remained committed to empowering communities through trust, education, advocacy, and meaningful engagement.
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Free and low-cost resources |
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Sensory-friendly haircuts: Tips and stylists
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Haircuts can be stressful for many autistic children and families. The Washington Autism Alliance (WAA) has shared practical sensory-friendly haircut tips along with a list of stylists who may better understand sensory needs. |
Planning for the future
Future planning can help families think about long-term goals, supports and decisions for a loved one with a disability. This resource from The Arc’s Center for Future Planning explains key areas to consider, including housing, finances, legal planning, daily living and building a support network. Families can use these tools to start conversations and create a plan over time.
 Free and discounted resources for foster and kinship caregivers
This guide from Alliance CaRES, a partner of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, provides free and low-cost resources for foster and kinship caregivers in Washington. Topics include recreation, museums, camps, educational programs, transportation, technology, and other supports that can help families save money and access community opportunities. The guide includes resources from organizations across the state in one easy-to-use document.
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Child Care Aware of Washington
Multiple meetings in June
Share feedback on Early Learning Programs
Child Care Aware of Washington is hosting listening sessions in June to gather feedback about the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP). Families, caregivers, providers and community members can choose from several ways to participate, including virtual and in-person sessions, sessions in multiple languages, and options focused on different communities and experiences. These conversations will help shape the future of early learning programs and supports in Washington state.
Washington Autism Alliance
5 to 7 p.m. Monday, June 8
Washington Autism Alliance Parent Support Group
Supporting Parents of High-Masking Autistic Students: Autistic + ADHD Join this virtual parent support group to connect with other caregivers, share resources and learn educational advocacy strategies. This session will focus on supporting students who are autistic and have ADHD, with opportunities for discussion and community support.
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Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
12 p.m. Saturday, June 13, and 3 p.m. Sunday, June 14
Student and Parent Leadership Circles: Your Voice. Your Impact
The Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction’s Inclusionary Practices Technical Assistance Network and partner organization And Still We Rise are hosting regional engagement sessions for students, families and community members. These virtual sessions provide an opportunity to share experiences, identify priorities and help shape more inclusive practices across Washington. Feedback from participants will help inform statewide strategies and resources.
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Using ABLE Accounts for everyday needs and goals
ABLE accounts can help pay for a wide range of Qualified Disability Expenses, such as summer camp, fans, lawn care and other everyday supports. This resource from the ABLE National Resource Center explains what counts as a Qualified Disability Expense and how ABLE funds can support comfort, independence and quality of life.
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 Washington State DD Council
P.O. Box 48314
Olympia, WA 98504-8314
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Informing Families is a project of the Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council |
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