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Support for Washington families and self-advocates
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Washington’s law governing the Community Protection program will end Dec. 31, 2026, but services for people currently in the program will not end at that time. The Community Protection waiver will remain in place while people transition to other Developmental Disabilities Administration waivers or services.
People will continue receiving their current services, working with the same case manager and participating in quarterly meetings as the transition moves forward. Informing Families will share updates from the Developmental Disabilities Administration about upcoming changes and what they mean for people receiving Community Protection services.
A Path Forward: Help Shape Developmental Disability Services
Washington is developing a 10-year strategic plan to transform the state’s system of services and supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The Developmental Disabilities Administration is working with a steering committee to help guide the process, and community input will also be an important part of the work. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities, families and others will have opportunities to share their experiences and ideas through surveys, virtual events and in-person discussions.
Learn more about the planning process, who is involved and upcoming opportunities to participate.
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Free and low-cost resources |
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A strong individualized education program (IEP) starts with understanding a student's current needs and setting meaningful goals. This resource from PAVE explains evaluations, present levels of academic achievement and functional performance, and SMART goals. It also includes a fillable SMART goals worksheet families can use when preparing for IEP meetings.
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e-Buddies from Best Buddies International connects people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities through one-to-one online friendships. Participants are matched with an e-Buddy and connect through email to build friendships, practice communication skills and share interests. |
Ben’s Fund is accepting applications from Washington families with a child or young adult, ages 0–25, with an autism diagnosis, for a chance to attend a Seattle Seahawks home game at Lumen Field. One family will be selected for each home game and will receive four tickets and one parking pass. One application covers the full season, and applications will close once all available spaces are filled.
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Supporting Your Adolescent’s Social-Emotional Learning at Home
Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
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Join PEPS for a virtual workshop for parents of children ages 9-19. Learn ways to talk with adolescents and teens about self-awareness, emotional regulation and empathy, while also exploring how parents can strengthen their own social-emotional skills. Please note that there is a cost to participate in the group. |
Wednesdays, Oct. 7, 14 and 21, 2026, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. PT
The Lurie Institute for Disability Policy at Brandeis University is hosting a free three-part virtual series on the future of direct care supports. Session 2 on Oct. 14 will focus on people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and family caregivers, including challenges and opportunities related to direct care. The series will also explore state innovations and broader solutions to the direct care workforce crisis. American Sign Language interpretation and English closed captioning will be available.
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The Arc of the United States is inviting people to take part in 1 Million Care Conversations, a national effort to better understand what caregiving looks like across the country. People who give care, receive care or both can share what is working, what is not and what support they need. Responses will help inform policy, decision-making and future efforts to strengthen caregiving supports. |
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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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