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Developmental Disabilities Newsletter
SEPTEMBER 2024 EDITION
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National Hispanic Heritage Month is September 15 to October 15
Hispanic Heritage Month is a month-long celebration of Hispanic and Latino history and culture. It celebrates the histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. The theme for 2024 is “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together.” According to AgLearn, a division of the US Department of Agriculture, “The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.” The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively. Finally, Day of the Races or Día de la Raza, which is October 9, falls within this 30-day period.
Click here to read the 2024 Snohomish County Council Resolution for Hispanic Heritage Month (document in English and Spanish).
Click here to learn more about National Hispanic Heritage Month from the National Museum of the American Latino.
Click here to visit the Washington State Commission on Hispanic Affairs website and their work to improve public policy development and government services to the Hispanic community, along with organizations and resources available statewide.
Familias Unidas is the first Latino Resource Center in Snohomish County. They are open to all but provide bilingual services with a focus on the Hispanic Community in the area. Click here to learn more.
Hispanic Heritage Event - Join the Greater Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, September 12 from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Marysville Opera House (1225 3rd St., Marysville, WA 98270). Music, dance performances, and a mariachi band. Vendors and artisan creations. NO ADMISSION fee! For information call 360.659.7700 or email espanol@marysvilletulalipchamber.com
Back to School: Review your High School and Beyond Plan
The recent 9th Circuit Court Decision in May provided an opportunity for students, families, and Individualized Education Program (IEP) teams to complete planning for life after high school. If you or a loved one is returning to school this fall because of the 9th Circuit Court Decision, it is recommended that you and your IEP team update the IEP and your High School and Beyond Plan to ensure you know what the next steps are needed to complete your education this year. Click here to access the Transition Service guidance from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Learning Advocacy in Special Education
As the new school year approaches and you and your family start getting ready, be sure to check out "Guide to Learning Advocacy in Special Education" by Rachel Nemhauser from The Arc of King County. It’s packed with valuable tips for advocating for your child.
Social Security Income Changes Coming Fall 2024
In May of 2024, the Social Security Administration (SSA) finalized three Supplemental Security Income (SSI) rules that aim to reduce the barriers and expand access to SSI. The changes for in-kind support and maintenance (ISM) will reduce SSI benefits reductions for individuals receiving food or shelter from others. These changes are aimed at helping older adults and individuals with disabilities in low-income households qualify for SSI, receive full benefits, and reduce reporting burdens. These rules will go into effect on September 30th, 2024.
What You Need to Know about Your Supplemental Security (SSI) When You Turn 18
Last week, Social Security Administration (SSA) began mailing notices to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients between the ages of 14 and 17 (transition-aged youth) and their representatives to help them understand policies and access resources to aid youth in their transition to adulthood. These letters include a QR code to the Youth Resources webpage and information on their publication, What You Need To Know About Your Supplemental Security (SSI) When You Turn 18 This publication helps youth prepare for the transition from school to adult life. It provides information about SSI work incentives primarily affecting youth, as well as information about common programs, services, and supports that parents, guardians, and youth may find helpful.
Specific topics covered include:
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The age-18 redetermination and how to appeal if benefits stop.
- Earnings and the age 18 redetermination.
- Available work incentives and supports.
- SSI program rules about higher education funds.
- Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) accounts.
- Other services that may be helpful.
You can download the publication from the agency’s website in both English and Spanish.
From SAMHSA: Child and Adolescent Disaster Behavioral Health
As a new school year gets underway, it is an ideal time to revisit family disaster planning and preparedness, making sure families have key supplies stocked and plans for communicating and reuniting in the event of a disaster. Click here to learn more information about Family Disaster Planning and Preparedness.
It is also a good time to support families and schools in planning ahead for disasters. Children and adolescents may be at risk for mental health issues after disasters such as anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, and depression. They may also experience post-disaster reactions, such as fear, anger, sadness, trouble sleeping, and a loss of a sense of safety in the world. Click here to learn more about post-disaster reaction for children.
Stress is particularly hard on young people because they feel they have less control, have less experience effectively coping with tough situations, and understand less of the disaster than adults do—and children who have trauma in their past may struggle even more. Click here to learn more about how children differ from adults during disasters.
These sobering realities are not without hope. The negative impact of disasters on children's mental health can be lessened by protections like family resilience, strong caretaker-child bonds, and adult awareness of these concerns. Click here to learn more about the study.
Click here to explore resources to learn more about disaster preparation for young people, and how to talk to children about disasters.
Work to improve the lives of people with disabilities
If you are interested in disability justice and want to influence state decision makers, apply to become a volunteer member of the Washington State Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues & Employment (GCDE).
The GCDE is recruiting a new chairperson and new members. The application deadline is Sept. 13, 2024.
The committee has 25 members, all appointed by the governor. Each serves a 3-year term with the possibility of being appointed to a second 3-year term.
Gov. Jay Inslee will appoint new members to serve terms starting the first part of 2025.
Committee members can live anywhere in Washington. They must meet one or more of these criteria:
- Have a disability.
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Have a family member with a disability.
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Provide services to, or be an advocate for, people with disabilities.
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Work alongside others in the disability community to bring awareness and passion to projects that impact people with disabilities statewide.
“GCDE’s meetings and the diverse subcommittees undoubtedly offer the opportunity to collaborate with others who share a common goal: to invest in equal access and inclusion,” said GCDE member Autumn Harris.
GCDE members serve on subcommittees that work on a variety of projects, such as community outreach and an employer awards program. New members are asked to serve on one or two subcommittees that most interest them.
Click here to find application instructions, and information about member qualifications and responsibilities on the GCDE Become a Member page.
Click here to access the Employment Security Department (ESD) website and learn more about what GCDE does.
Click here to learn more GCDE's current members and how ESD provides administrative support to the GCDE.
The Community Advocacy Coalition (CAC) for Developmental Disabilities 2025 Survey on I/DD Concerns & Advocacy in WA state: Survey Opportunity
We (CAC) are conducting our 2025 Survey on I/DD Concerns & Advocacy in WA state. This survey will help us understand community needs. It will help us plan for 2025 Advocacy Day, and plan for the 2025 notebook.
The survey is divided into different parts:
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Demographic information (who you are)
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How I feel about things
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Legislative concerns
- Advocacy Day
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Helpful Websites
Click on the links below to view websites.
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Village's Community Festival
- September 10 and 11, 2024 at 10:00 am to 7:00 pm
- Warm Beach Camp and Conference Center - 20800 Marine Dr, Stanwood, WA 98292
- Join us in celebrating music, art, daytime activities and community
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Click here to learn more
Speaking Up for Yourself as a Parent with I/DD: Being Part of Your Child’s Life at School.
- September 12, 2024 from 9:00 am to 10:00 am
- This information comes from The Association for Successful Parenting. Your kids will spend many hours at their local school and it’s important for you as their parent to be connected and involved. Learn tips to communicate with school staff and other parents more easily, simple ways you can support your child’s education at home and ideas for how you can volunteer or participate in activities at your child’s school.
- This webinar is intended for parents with disabilities, as well as the people who support them.
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Click here to register for the webinar.
Sensory Day Experience at The Museum of Flight
- Wednesday, September 22, 2024 from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm
- Free Admission with pre-registration
- Sensory Days are for adults and families of children, teenagers and young adults with disabilities including intellectual disabilities, autism, sensory processing disorders and other cognitive disabilities. Guests will get access to the Museum, during off-hours*, where they can explore and self-guide through the galleries with adjusted light and sound for the best possible experience. To enhance the experience, we often provide hands-on, family activities for Sensory Day participants. Find us in the Alaska Airlines Aerospace Education Center in the Great Gallery.
- Sensory Days are intended as a positive and meaningful experience for families visiting The Museum of Flight.
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Click here to learn more
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Click here to register for Sensory Days at the Museum of Flight
2024 Re-Imagining Behavioral Health: Race, Equity & Social Justice Conference
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September 26 and 27, 2024, virtual and free!
- Event by UW Medicine - Harborview Behavioral Health Institute.
- Featured session: Addressing Trauma When Working with People Who Have Disabilities
- This presentation will introduce the audience to ableism through a Critical Disability Studies framework looking at the traumatic impact of stigma and discrimination. It will then discuss the preliminary steps that we as Psychologists can take to support those with disability to recognize it, heal the trauma of it, and learn the skills necessary to refute it.
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Click here for more information and to register for conference
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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
- Club Independence is currently doing a Planning Your Future Series!
- 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
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Click here to learn more about Transition Club
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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
Trade School Guide for Students with Disabilities
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Community Homes
Partners4Housing
- Offers free webinars to learn about Roommate Matching Pool, online Residential Assessment and Consulting Services
- NEXT WEBINAR: Wednesday, September 25, 2024 at 10:00 am via Zoom
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Click here to get a free Residential Assessment
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Click here to learn more
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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
Dementia Friends WA
- Dementia Friends is a global movement changing the way people think, act, and talk about dementia.
- We offer free, 60-minute information sessions to anyone in the community who would like to attend.
- At these sessions, we share information about dementia, communication tips, ways to take action, resources and support that are available.
- We have adapted versions of our materials, and one adaptation is for the IDD community. The focus is dementia and IDD.
- Local Dementia Friends WA - IDD Events:
- In-Person: YMCA Mill Creek - September 9, 2024 from 12:15 pm to 1:15 pm. Space is limited to 30 people. To register, email Pleahy@ymca-snoco.org.
- Virtual - Zoom: September 12, 2024 from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm. To register or if you have any questions, email: dementiafriendswa@uw.edu or call (206) 685-6749
- In-person: Abbott-Wolf Center in Darrington - September 18, 2024 from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. Click here to register.
- In-person: Edmonds Waterfront Center - September 23, 2024 from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Registration: Opens Sep 3; Click here to register online or call (425)774-5555/2nd Floor Reception
- In-person: Mukilteo Library - October 1, 2024 from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Click here to register.
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Click here to view the whole list of Dementia Friend WA - IDD - September 2024 Events
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Click here to learn more about Dementia Friends WA
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Self-Advocates: Zoom at Noon - "We Never Stop Learning!" What You Have Learned Recently?
- September 5, 2024, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
- Presented by the Arc
- Click here for more information
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Self-Advocates: Zoom at Noon - "Where's The Advocacy"? picture game
- September 19, 2024, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
- Presented by the Arc
- Click here for more information
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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 EVERY THIRD WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH
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Click here for more information
Outreach Materials for those Facing Barriers
- The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program offers monthly financial assistance to individuals aged 65 or older, or those with disabilities or blindness, who have limited income and resources. SSI aids in covering essential expenses such as rent, food, clothing, and medicine. In 2024, the basic monthly payments are $943 for individuals and $1,415 for couples.
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Click here to learn more about SSI eligibility and how to apply
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Click here to explore Outreach Materials for People Facing Barriers resources
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Click here to visit the SSI website
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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)
- Speak AAC to Teach AAC
- Wednesday, September 11, 2024, 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
- Presented by Molly Menzie, M.S., CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist
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Click here to learn more
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Click here to register via Zoom
- School Transition and School to Work
- Wednesday, September 18, 2024, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
- Presented by Jen Chong Jewell, Transition Coordinator - Snohomish County Developmental Disabilities
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Click here to learn more
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Click here to register via Zoom
- 2024 Legislative Forum
- Wednesday, September 18, 2024, 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm (Post-Networking Event from 8:00 pm to 8:30 pm)
- Everett Station, Weyerhaeuser Room: 3201 Smith Ave., Everett, WA 98201
- Presented by the Arc of Snohomish County
- Meet your local legislators and candidates in-person
- Learn from community speakers about policy priorities affecting people with disabilities
- Advocate and share your story during post-event networking
- For questions, accommodations, or interpretation requests, contact:
Jake@arcsno.org / 425-258-2459 x105
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Click here to learn more
- Included in the Journey: How to Navigate the Special Education Process
- Monday, September 23, 2024, 06:30 pm - 08:00 pm
- Presented by Scott Raub, Assistant Director, Special Edu Policy and Community Engagement, OSPI
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Click here to learn more
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Click here to register via Zoom
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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
Job Foundation Application: Accepting 2026 Grad Cohort Applications Now!
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Click Here to learn more about Job Foundation and how it works.
School to Work Application: Accepting 2025 Grad Cohort Applications Now!
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Click Here to learn more about School to Work and how it works.
- Please note, if you have participated in Job Foundation, you do not need to fill out a separate application for School to Work. If you completed a Job Foundation application but were unable to participate due to not meeting the eligibility criteria with DDA (Developmental Disabilities Administration) but have since become eligible before your third year of Transition, you do not need to fill out another application.
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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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