Individuals with Developmental Disabilities and their families desire a full and engaged life. The family caregivers also need sufficient structure and support to maintain their own jobs and lives.
- Washington State puts 88% of its day program dollars into integrated employment. (The National Report on Employment Services and Outcomes 2016)
- 80% of working age adults with developmental disabilities are not employed - Of the those in individual employment in May 2017, 766 individuals in the entire state in competitive employment with 20 hours or more per week, 878 with > 20/wk in any type of employment (adds group and the few remaining center based workers). Those are 3.5% and 4% respectively of the working age adult population.
- A system which functionally offers employment as the only service, then fails to deliver at all to 80% of the target population, and achieves 20 hours per week for only 3.5% is now being audited.
In 2017 Families and individuals with developmental disabilities expressed frustration with the system. The legislature directed the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) to conduct a performance audit of employment and community access services offered by the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) for people with a developmental disability.
This is your chance to be heard by the Washington State Legislature AND to give valuable input to the JLARC Auditors, they are waiting to hear from you! Call or send them an email today, takes 5 minutes to share your story!
Project Coordinator: Valerie Whitener 360-786-5191 Valerie.Whitener@leg.wa.gov
Research Analyst: Ryan McCord 360-786-5186 Ryan.McCord@leg.wa.gov
Research Analyst: Melanie Stidham 360-786-5190 Melanie.Stidham@leg.wa.gov
Research Analyst: Casey Radostitz 360-786-5176 Casey.Radostitz@leg.wa.gov
Research Analyst: Zack Freeman 360-786-5179 Zack.Freeman@leg.wa.gov
Thank you for standing with us for change!
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Why a JLARC Study of Employment and Community Access Services? The current Working Age Adults Policy (DDA Policy 4.11) in combination with RCW 71A.12.290 requires that all adults with developmental disabilities attempt employment if they desire any form of day service. Access to more than one service (employment or community access or other day service) is forbidden. The 2017 operating budget (ESSB 5883) directed the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) to conduct a performance audit of employment and community access services offered by the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) for people with a developmental disability.
- Employment services include job placement and support, such as job coaches.
- Prevocational services are a type of employment service.
- Community access services are meant to promote skill development, independent living, and community integration.
Employment and community access services are available to eligible individuals over the age of 21, subject to funding.
Individuals cannot receive both services at the same time. Within DSHS, the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) is largely responsible for overseeing the services. It contracts with counties, which either provide services directly or subcontract with employment or community access service providers.
JLARC Wants to know the following concerning Washington States Day Programming- Employment or Community Inclusion(Access):
- What is the process to access services? Barriers? Strengths, Weaknesses
- Benefits and frustrations of the services tangible and intangible