Come to our Mini Transition Resource Fair on Saturday, October 11, 2025 at Everett Community College
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.
This event is a smaller version of our large resource fair, featuring community agencies and an information session focused on services, community connections, and access to people and tools that support employment and career goals.
Click here for more information
Mini Transition Resource Fair Flier (PDF) - Arabic / English / Korean / Mandarin / Russian / Spanish / Vietnamese
Help Make Your Community More Inclusive – Survey Ends September 30th!
We want to hear from you!
LISC Puget Sound and Snohomish County are working to make our community better for people of all abilities. You can help by taking a short survey.
Who can take the survey?
- People with developmental disabilities
- Family members or caregivers
- People who support or work with this community
Why take the survey? Your answers will help us learn what inclusion means to you. The survey will help us improve programs, services, and public places. We want to build stronger supports and help everyone feel welcome and connected.
The survey is available in (click preferred language to view CI Survey flyer):
Click here to take the survey
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and helping make our community more welcoming for everyone!
Expanding Access to Person Centered Planning in Snohomish County
After a short pause, Person Centered Planning (PCP) is once again available in Snohomish County. Earlier this year we shared that Total Living Concept (TLC) had concluded their work with us, and we are grateful for the many years they supported our community. The pause in referrals gave us time to complete the transition, and we are excited to announce a new partnership with Service Alternatives to coordinate planning. This change expands the pool of facilitators, increasing our capacity and making planning available to more people. With this transition complete, we want to highlight what PCP is and how it works.
PCP is a guided discussion that helps people with developmental or intellectual disabilities focus on their strengths, interests, and goals. With the support of a trained facilitator and a group of trusted people chosen by the individual, the process is creative and engaging, using visuals and graphics to make the person’s priorities and next steps clear and accessible. The outcome is a plan that reflects what matters most to the person and outlines meaningful steps forward.
Planning can be especially helpful during key points in life, such as taking part in high school transition programs, experiencing a period of extended unemployment, preparing for retirement, or exploring new ways to connect with the community. These moments often raise questions, and planning helps sort through them while opening up new possibilities.
This service is available at no cost to Snohomish County residents who are enrolled with the Developmental Disabilities Community Services (DDCS) (formally Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)). A referral from a support person such as an Employment Provider, Educator, or DDCS Case Resource Manager is required and must be approved by Snohomish County Developmental Disabilities. For those outside the county, check with your county program or your DDCS Case Manager to learn how to access planning services in your area.
For more information, or to submit a referral, visit snohomishcountywa.gov/5931/Person-Centered-Planning. If you know someone who may benefit from Person Centered Planning, now is the perfect time to get started.
Along with reopening Person Centered Planning services, we are excited to offer a free PCP facilitator training on October 13 and 14 for anyone interested in becoming a facilitator. This two-day training is for people with experience supporting individuals with developmental disabilities who want to learn how to guide PCP conversations and help individuals move toward their goals. For more information on how to register, email DDInfo@snoco.org.
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 2025 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.
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 Job Foundation Report includes recommendations including actionable next steps needed for success. Job Foundation is available to students in their second 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 in their final year of Transition.
Attention 2026 Grads – Applications for School to Work are now open. This is an opportunity for your student to access the vital resources they will need once they graduate. The School to Work 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 School to Work program, qualifiers are:
- Enrolled in DDCS (formally DDA)
- Have Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Selected 1st and 2nd choice for Employment 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 School to Work. 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.
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