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Overview
of Services
People with developmental disabilities may be eligible to receive a variety of services through a variety of agencies and organizations in their community. Many of these agencies are private, non-profit organizations and may offer direct services, such as providing a personal care assistant to help someone live independently, education about the developmental disabilities system, or support groups for family members who have children or adult children with disabilities in their lives. Other services can include help with assistive technology (machines to help someone communicate, adapted wheelchairs, service animals, etc.), transportation, child care, or early intervention services for children age 0-3.
Divison of Developmental Disabilities (Formerly the Division of Developmental Disabilities)
The Divison of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) is the Washington State agency responsible for serving Washington citizens with developmental disabilities. DDD is a division of the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services or "DSHS" Disabilities and Long Term Care Administration.
After going through an intake process, which usually involves an interview of the person with a disability or their family member or representative, and a person is determined to be eligible for services through DDS, that person is assigned a Case Manager at DDD. The Case Manager is the person at the Division of Developmental Disabilities who can answer questions about state-provided services and supports, and who will try to help the person with a disability and their family access the help that they need, depending on the resources of the State and of the community the person lives in. The Case Manager usually works with a regular "case load" or number of people with disabilities and their families.
Once a person is found eligible for services through DDD and assigned to a Case Manager, it is up to the family and the person with developmental disabilities, sometimes called the "client", to let the Case Manager know what services they need. Depending on the different kinds of service a person may need, that service may not be immediately provided by the state. Some services, such as residential services, have long waiting lists. It is important to understand that being eligible for services does not necessarily mean that those services will be available to the client right away, or even in the near future. Some waiting lists can actually be many years long.
The programs listed below are the most common services provided through Divison of Developmental Disabilities. There may be additional services/resources available depending on where you live, or depending on budgetary considerations. There may also be services and resources available that are not directly tied to or funded through DDD that might be of benefit to the adult or child with a disability. Some cities and counties (including King County) also have programs and services (sometimes provided in partnership with DDD) for people with developmental disabilities.
Family Support Opportunity (FSO)
Provides assistance for eligible families whose children (minors and adults) continue to live with them. It may be used for respite, therapies, specialized equipment, home modifications, etc. The total dollar amount a family is eligible for changes depending on budget considerations, so always verify the current funding level. The budget for FSO is allocated on an annual basis according to the month the family begins the FSO program.
Some Family Support requests must be by Exception to Policy and have prior approval by the Field Services Administrator (FSA). A committee must first review these requests before they are given to the FSA. They are never approved or denied until the FSA has signed it.
A family will be placed on the FSO waiting list upon the date of the DD eligibility intake if the person is determined to be DD eligible. Otherwise, a family may request the FSO program at any time and the person's case manager will make a referral to the waiting list. The waiting list is approximately two years or longer.Medicaid Personal Care (MPC)
Provides assistance to eligible persons (minors and adults) in areas of personal care and daily living such as bathing, dressing, eating, meal preparation, laundry, etc. It is generally provided in the person's home but may be provided in the community if personal care is needed in order to attend an event. Within established maximums, an assessment determines the number of service hours the person receives. The eligibility requirements include having a Medicaid coupon that proves you are CNP (categorically needy program) and have an assessed need in a personal care area.For more information, see Services > About > Medicaid Personal Care
Residential Programs
Provides supports for adults (18 and older) within a variety of different living alternatives such as Supported Living, Group Homes, IMR-E, and SOLA. The SOLA or State Operated Living Alternative programs are directly owned and operated by the State of Washington. Most other residential programs, including Group Homes, IMRs, and Supported Living programs are operated under contract with the State of Washington, and oversight is provided by the Division of Developmental Disabilities. Groups homes and SOLA's provide access to 24-hour supervision. Supported Living programs may provide 24-hour supervision or a contracted number of hours per week according to the needs of the person.
All of the programs above provide a wide range of services for people who live in a residential setting within the community. This includes assisting them to attend and be a part of everyday activities in the community.
Upon request, the person's case manager makes referrals to the Residential Services Authorization Committee (R-SAC). The list of people requesting a residential program is very long. There is no way to estimate how long someone may wait because people are not taken off in chronological order. When an opening occurs, the committee reviews the priority list and recommends referrals based on the appropriateness of the opening.For more information, see Services > About > Adult Residential Services
Adult Family Homes (AFH)
Provides an alternative to contracted residential programs. A person must be at least 18 years old. An AFH is a residence that is owned or rented by a licensed AFH provider and provides room and board along with 24-hour supervision for up to six adults. Licensing is through Aging and Adult Services Administration. The AFH provider must be licensed and pass the DDD Specialty Training in order to be able to accept a referral from the DDD case manager. Oversight is a joint responsibility of both AASA and DDD. All referrals to an Adult Family Home should be made through the person's case manager.Employment and Day Programs
These are services that include:
- individual supported employment (one person with a disability working at a job in the community with some support)
- group-supported employment (several people with disabilities working at a job in the community with support)
- specialized industries/sheltered workshops (many people with disabilities working at a central location with support)
- community access (pre-vocational socialization, community integration and independent living and social skills training)
Through several funding sources there is money to help people exiting from the school programs in 1999 and 2000. There is also limited funding for other adults requesting help to find and retain jobs or other day programs. There may be waiting lists for both groups. Availability of services also may depend on the level of support an individual requires.
For more information, see the Employment topic.
Voluntary Placement Program (VPP)
Provides out-of-home placement in a Children's Foster Home on a voluntary basis. This generally means the family has requested a Foster Home for their child because the family no longer feels capable of caring for their child at home. Since it is voluntary the family does not have the same court involvement as children who are removed from a family by Child Protective Services (CPS). Each child in the VPP has an assigned Social Worker instead of a case manager.
The programs described above may have eligibility requirements or licensing restrictions. All of them are also subject to the availability of funding except Medicaid Personal Care. MPC is an entitlement for those who meet the eligibility requirements.
Programs through the Divison of Developmental Disabilities do not have income requirements. However, a person is responsible for his/her own bills when residing in Supported Living. There is also a requirement within Group Homes and AFHs and Foster Homes for the person to pay "participation" which helps to cover part of the cost of room and board. Paying participation is a requirement of Social Security and is calculated based on the person's income (typically Supplemental Security Income, Social Security, and wages).
Other Services
Support groups, education programs, assistive technology services, transportation, translation for non-English speaking persons, help for culturally specific groups, and general supports for individuals and families can be accessed through a wide variety of community agencies and resources. Some of these resources may be accessed in connection with Divison of Developmental Disabilities, although many may not as they are "generic" resources available to anyone who needs them, or the group providing the service doesn't have a formal connection to a state agency.
Getting Connected to Services
If you or a family member are already enrolled with the Division of Developmental Disabilities, contact your case manager to get more information or request specific services. If services are denied, or approved but not available, it is a good idea to get written correspondence from DDS acknowledging your request, and explaining the reason for denial of service or lack of current service availability. Any such correspondence should also explain your right to appeal decisions (in the case of being denied services or eligibility). You should always keep records of your correspondence with DDS and other agencies.
To apply for services through the Division of Developmental Disabilities, or to find out who your case manger is in King County, contact:
Division
of Developmental Disabilities
Region 4 Headquarters
1700 East Cherry Street
Seattle, WA 98122
Phone: (206) 568-5700
TTY: (206) 720-3325
FAX: (206) 720-3334
Toll Free: (800) 314-3296
E-mail: dd4fso@dshs.wa.gov
Web: http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/ddd/region4.shtml
If you are calling for the first time for yourself or on behalf of someone else,
ask to speak with the intake worker. The intake worker will schedule an
appointment to apply for services through the Divison of Developmental Disabilities. In order to make a determination of eligibility, the worker
will need some verifiable information about the nature of the disability of the
applicant. This may include medical records, psychologist reports, school
records and other information that help identify the type and degree of the
applicant's disability to see whether they qualify for services through DDD.
For other information about community services and resources for people with developmental disabilities and their families, contact:
The Arc
of King County
233 Sixth Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98109
Phone: (206) 364-8384
Fax: (206) 364-8140
E-mail: connections@arcofkingcounty.org
Web: http://www.arcofkingcounty.org
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This page last updated: Sunday, November 25, 2007