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Developmental Disabilities Newsletter
JUNE 2025 EDITION
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Congratulations to all our young people graduating from Transition Programs in Snohomish County!
June is a month full of celebrations centered around the achievements of our young people. For our young adults who are graduating from their school programs this month, we celebrate you, your families, and the communities that supported you during your school years. We wish you the best and hope to see you engaged in Career Path Services and Community Inclusion Services in the future. Best wishes to you all!
Currently Accepting Job Foundation and School to Work Applications
Attention 2027 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 Community Services (DDCS) (formally Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)). Students who participate in Job Foundation can move into School to Work (S2W) in their final year of Transition.
Attention 2026 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”.
For students who want to work and are interested in applying to the STW program, qualifiers are:
- Enrolled in DDA (Now DDCS)
- Have SSI
- Selected 1st and 2nd choice for Providers
- Currently 20-21 years of age
This team provides a network of people who are invested in the student's success and who will provide ongoing support during school and after graduation as long as needed. Please note, if you have participated in Job Foundation, you do not need to fill out a separate application for S2W. If you completed a Job Foundation application but were unable to participate due to not meeting the eligibility criteria with DDCS (formally DDA) but have since become eligible before your third year of Transition, you do not need to fill out another application.
Pride Month 2025
All people have a right to live, work, and play free from harassment and discrimination. Pride Month recognizes the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally. It is celebrated each June to mark the anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion on June 28, 1969, in New York City, which is widely seen as the beginning of the modern LGBTQIA+ rights movement. In the year following Stonewall, members of the Eastern Regional Conference of Homophile Organizations (ERCHO), who had previously organized the “Reminder Day Pickets” at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, proposed a new, more visible demonstration. This led to the first Pride marches in New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago in 1970, laying the foundation for the Pride Month celebrations we know today.
Click here to read the Snohomish County Council Resolution
Click here to learn more about Pride Month from the Library of Congress website
Click here for the Snohomish County LGBTQ+ Inclusive Resource List
See below for 2025 Pride Events around Snohomish County
Juneteenth in Snohomish County
Juneteenth National Independence Day also called “Juneteenth”, “Freedom Day”, and “Emancipation Day” is an annual celebration marking the end of slavery in the United States. The holiday began in Galveston, Texas in the late 1800s and is the longest-running African American holiday in America. Juneteenth is commonly celebrated with community events, food, sharing in community, and educational and cultural experiences. All county offices will be closed Thursday, June 19, 2025.
Click here to read more about Juneteenth in Snohomish County
See below for the NAACP Snohomish County Juneteenth Event
Meet the Statewide Transition Council
The Statewide Transition Council was developed to better serve students with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Washington. This council focuses on expanding Senate Bill 5790. This Council aims to reach underrepresented students in rural areas, within tribes, and/or other opportunities as identified. The goal is that all students have access to transition services and opportunities. Interested in learning more? You can attend a public meeting of the council.
- Quarterly Transition Council Meeting takes place quarterly, the third Wednesday, every 3 months.
- June 18, 2025 from 3 - 5 pm (agenda)
- September 17, 2025, from 3 - 5 pm
- December 17, 2025, from 3 - 5 pm
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Click here to join the meeting(s)
- Please send an email to dvrschooltowork@dshs.wa.gov if you would like to see past meeting documents.
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Click here to learn more
On May 19th, 2025, Governor Ferguson signed the special education funding bill into law. E2SSB 5263 removes the enrollment cap. Governor Ferguson also signed SSB 5253 into law, which extends special education services to students with disabilities until the end of the school year in which the student turns 22 years of age. SSB 5253 goes into effect during the 2025-26 school year.
If you have questions about anything legislature-related, please contact OSPI Special Education with the subject line "Legislative Session." speced@k12.wa.us.
Click here to watch this short video from OSPI for more insights into the legislature’s investment in special education and its impact on students and schools.
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Helpful Websites
Click on the links below to view websites.
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Sensory Days at The Museum of Flight
- Wednesday, June 29, 2025 from 8:00 am to 10:00 am
- 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 for more information
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Click here to register for Sensory Days at the Museum of Flight
Fun at the Farm presented by Courageous Connections
- Saturday, June 29, 2024 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm in Lake Stevens
- Farm tours, games/raffles, crafts, photo ops and Therapy Horses!
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Click here to learn more
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Club Independence
- Meets the first Wednesday of the month from 6:30 pm 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
- 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 2024/2025 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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Partners4Housing
- Offers free webinars to learn about Roommate Matching Pool, online Residential Assessment and Consulting Services
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Click here to learn more about Partners4Housing Workshops and Webinars
- Next webinar is Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at 10 am
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Click here to register
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Click here to get a free Residential Assessment
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Click here to learn more about Partners4Housing
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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.
- Virtual - Zoom: June 12, 2024 from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Dementia Friends Information Session. Click here to register
- Virtual - Zoom: June 26, 2025 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. Dementia Friends Information Session. Click here to register.
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Click here to view the June 2025 events
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Click here to view upcoming 2025 Information Sessions for 2025 for Dementia Friends WA
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Click here to learn more about Dementia Friends WA
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Zooming Advocates - Evening Zoom - Expressing Your Self Awareness
- Thursday, June 19, 2025, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
- Presented by the Arc of Snohomish County
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Click here for more information
- For questions or to ask for accommodations contact: Leigh Spruce Leigh@arcsno.org / 425-258-2459 Ext 103
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Zooming Advocates - Evening Zoom
- Thursday, July 17, 2025, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
- Presented by the Arc of Snohomish County
- For questions or to ask for accommodations contact: Leigh Spruce Leigh@arcsno.org / 425-258-2459 Ext 103
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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
Guidance for Helping Others Apply for Social Security
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Did you Know? Social Security provides information for those who are helping young adults, and their families navigate the Social Security Application process? Whether you help a family member or friend or help someone through a group or organization, there is a Third-Party Disability Application Video Series for you. These videos offer detailed guidance for people who help claimants file a disability application, whether online or with paper forms. Specifically, the series focuses on the required forms and steps needed to file a complete third-party disability application.
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The four-part video series includes:
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Video 1: “Helping Others Apply for Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits”
- Video 2: “The Application Package” - The application package for filing a disability application online on someone’s behalf.
- Video 3: “Additional Information & Forms” - Additional information and forms for filing a disability application online on someone’s behalf.
- Video 4: “Tips & Best Practices” - Tips and best practices for filing a disability application online on someone’s behalf.
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Click here view videos and to learn more.
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Arc of Snohomish Events (virtual setting)
- How to Talk to Your Child with Disabilities About Sexuality and Relationships
- Monday, June 9, 2025, 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm via Zoom
- Presenter: Amy Lang, MA, Sexuality and Parent Educator, Birds & Bees & Kids
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Click here for more information
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Click here to register
- Inclusive Recreation Roundtable
- Wednesday, June 18, 2025, from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm via Zoom
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Click here for more information
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Click here to register
- Online Safety for Kids with Disabilities
- Monday, June 23, 2025, from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm via Zoom
- Presenter: Amy Lang, MA, Sexuality and Parent Educator, Birds & Bees & Kids
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Click here for more information
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Click here to register
- Safely Meet New People
- Thursday, June 26, 2025, 11:00 am to 12:30 pm via Zoom or in-person
- Presented by: People First of Washington and The Arc of Snohomish County
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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 and geared towards Employment
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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 2027 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 2026 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 Developmental Disabilities Community Services (DDCS) (formally Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)) 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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