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Developmental Disabilities Newsletter
MARCH 2024 EDITION
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2024 Transition Resource Fair is Here!
March 26, 2024, at Cascade High School from 4:00 pm to 8:30 pm
This is a free community event that welcomes individuals with developmental disabilities (ages 12 and older), their families, caregivers, teachers, employees, and other interested community members.
The event will host community agencies and a variety of free workshops that will provide information on services, community connection and access to the people and tools available to help everyone pursue their employment and career goals.
Click the links to view the fair flier in your preferred language: Arabic, English, Korean, Russian, Spanish and Vietnamese
This year we will have therapy dogs at the fair from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm.
 Preacher, a therapy dog, will be one of the dogs attending the fair.
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Helpful Websites
Click on the links below to view websites.
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Currently Accepting Job Foundation and School to Work Applications
Attention 2026 Grads – Job Foundation is a program designed to help students and their team seamlessly move into their final year in Transition. A job coach will observe the student through a discovery process and compile the information in a report that is shared with the student’s team. The report includes recommendations including actionable next steps needed for success. Job Foundation is available to students in their second to last year of Transition (ages 19 to 20 years old) and who are eligible with Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA). Students who participate in Job Foundation can segue into School to Work (S2W) in their final year of Transition.
Attention 2025 Grads – Applications for School to Work (S2W) are now open. This is an opportunity for your student to access the vital resources they will need once they graduate. The S2W team will help explore opportunities for employment and the goal is to be employed before the student graduates, creating a smooth transition from “School to Work”. Students who want to work, are enrolled in Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA), have SSI, have selected a first and second Employment Provider of their choice (aligned with current provider capacity) and are 20-21 years old will qualify. This team provides a network of people who are invested is the student success and who will provide ongoing support during school and after graduation as long as needed.
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Click here to learn more about Job Foundation
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Click here to learn more about School to Work
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Click here to learn more about how to choose an Employment Provider
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Click here to learn more about Person Centered Planning
March is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
Each March, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD), and their partners work together to create a social media campaign (#DDAM2024) that highlights the many ways in which people with and without disabilities come together to form strong, diverse communities.
This campaign seeks to raise awareness about the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all facets of community life, as well as awareness of the barriers that people with disabilities still sometimes face in connecting to the communities in which they live.
The theme for #DDAM2024 is “A World of Opportunities” with a focus on making a world where everyone has the chance to thrive. For more information, and to view resources available in Arabic, Cantonese, English, French, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish, click the link below:
Snohomish County Recognizes March as Women’s History Month
Women’s History month is a time to recognize and honor the many people, events, and significant contributions of women to our community, nation, and world. According to the latest U.S. Census data, women compromise 49.5 of Snohomish County’s population, 61 percent of the nation’s adult labor force, and 43 percent of Snohomish County business are owned by women.
The National Women’s History Alliance (NWHA), founded in 1980, is a non-profit educational organization that she designated the 2024 theme around, “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.”
Women with disabilities who have advocated for the rights of others include past leaders such as Harriet Tubman (1822-1913), Sojourner Truth (1797-1883), Barbara Jordan (1936-1996), Joyce Ardell Jackson (1947-2013), Johnnie Lacey (1937-2010), Jazzie Collins (1958-2013), Judy Heumann (1947-2023), and Stacey Park Millburn (1987-2020). Women with disabilities who continue to lead these efforts include today include Mia Mingus, Alice Wong, Mary Lou Breslin, Imani Barbarin, Karen Nakamura, Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha, and many more.
To learn more about Seven Women Who Shaped the Disability Rights Movement, go here: 7 Women Who Shaped the Disability Rights Movement
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Club Independence
- Meets the first Wednesday of the month from 6:30 to 7:30 pm via Zoom
- A monthly group that The Arc of Snohomish County facilitates and is a place for young adult self-advocates to discuss topics for successful independent living.
- Club Independence is currently doing Planning Your Future!
- For information contact Brandi Piecora - Brandi@arcsno.org/425-258-2459 x113
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Click here to learn more about Club Independence
Transition Clubs
- The Arc of Snohomish County facilitates monthly clubs in partnership with local school districts and community.
- Transition Clubs use the Charting the Life Course Tools and Philosophy in order to teach participants and practice the skills for Self-Determination, Self- Awareness and Self-Advocacy.
- If you are interested in partnering with The Arc for the 2023/2024 school year, please contact: Jessie Moore - Jessie@arcsno.org/425-258-2459 x109
- Click the links below to learn more about the Transition Clubs
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Edmonds College: Pursuit Lab – College and Career Prep for Students with Disabilities
The Pursuit Lab is a pre-employment transition service for students transitioning out of high school or looking for jobs/careers
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Click here to learn more about these amazing opportunities
Trade School Guide for Students with Disabilities
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Partners4Housing
- Offers free webinars to learn about Roommate Matching Pool, online Residential Assessment and Consulting Services
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Click here to get a free Residential Assessment
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Click here to learn more
Community Homes
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Washington Medical Legal Partnership/Seattle Children’s Hospital: Your child with Disabilities is Turning 18
- On-Demand classes for parents and caregivers of youths in their late teens who will need ongoing support as adults or help with legal decision making. Classes include Supported decision-making; Durable power of attorney; Legal guardianship; and Conservatorship.
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Click here to access videos (also available in Spanish and Vietnamese).
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Click here to view PDF of presentations
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- Self-Advocates in Leadership (SAIL)
- Monday, March 12, 2024, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
- Adults with disabilities focused on legislative change. Legislative updates and more.
- Presented by the Arc
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Click here for more information
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Self-Advocates: Zoom at Noon - Advocacy Chain Conversation Game
- Wednesday, March 21, 2024, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
- Presented by the Arc
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Click here for more information
Northwest Access Fund: Navigating SSI Applications
- Bring your questions! Monthly classes are led by a Certified Benefits Planner and provide an overview of the SSI application process.
- Get tips and strategies for the application and redetermination process and leave with a clear idea of the next steps to take.
- These classes are recorded and shared with the people who registered.
- Over Age 18 Initial Application & Age 18 Redeterminations
- CLASSES ARE HELD ON THE THIRD WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH
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Click here for more information
Northwest Access Fund: Navigating SSI Applications
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Applying for SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
- Monday, March 11, 2024, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
- Presented by the Arc
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Click here for more information
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ABLE Savings Plan & DD Endowment Trust Fund
- Wednesday, March 20, 2024, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
- Presented by the Arc
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Click here for more information
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Technology Opportunities for DDA Clients
- If you have a loved one who is eligible with Developmental Disabilities Administration, even if they do not have an assigned case manager, they could be eligible for a free phone.
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Click here for more information and to access the online form to make a request for a free phone
- If you do not know who your DDA Case Manager is, you can contact DDA - 425.740.6400
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Arc of Snohomish Events (virtual setting)
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Applying for SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
- Monday, March 11, 2024, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
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Click here for more information
- Self-Advocates in Leadership (SAIL)
- Monday, March 12, 2024, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
- Adults with disabilities focused on legislative change. Legislative updates and more.
- Presented by the Arc
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Click here for more information
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ABLE Savings Plan & DD Endowment Trust Fund
- Wednesday, March 20, 2024, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
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Click here for more information
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ABLE Savings Plan & DD Endowment Trust Fund
- Wednesday, March 20, 2024, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
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Click here for more information
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2024 Community Summit
- When: May 7th, 8th, and 9th, 2024,
- Where: Wenatchee Convention Center
- Hosted by DSHS DDA
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Click here for more information
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Click here to view Arc's Event Calendar
Wise Webinar Series (virtual setting)
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Transition Supports and Services: Summary for Students, Families and Caregivers
- The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction developed a resource is to support students and families to learn more about how the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Transition Plan and aligned High School and Beyond Plan (HSBP) support a student to be ready for their goals for post-secondary goals. Employment providers, community members, and other agency providers can benefit in their work with supporting students and families.
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Click here to learn more
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Everett Transit Free Youth Transit Pass
- For those 18 years and under
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Click here to get your free Transit Pass
SNOTRAC
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Click on the links below to quickly access one of the many helpful DD webpages!
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If you have any questions, comments, concerns or topic/content ideas for this Developmental Disabilities Newsletter, please email us at ddinfo@snoco.org
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