2010 Washington State Bills of Interest
Check out this informative chart which lists Washington State legislative bills of interest to families and people with developmental disabilities.
Follow the discussions People First, Sail and The ARC are having during Advocacy Days about bills they are watching in the Advocacy Day monthly reports
by Tracy Wilson, Clallam County field trip organizer and careprovider.
See links to the full Advocacy Day reports below
Community Advocacy Coalition
Feb. 1, 2010 ~ St. Michael’s Church Olympia, WA
Advocacy Days are happening each Wednesday during the Legislative Session. Groups from all over the state are encouraged to attend.
People First and Sail are supporting and working on: HB 2490 The Respectful Language Bill that replaces “mental retardation” with “intellectual disability” in state language. They are passing out buttons to support passing this bill.
Another key issue this session is the consolidation and/or elimination of RHC’s and moving people into the community for services. This will have positive fiscal impact in the future. This is one of the more contraveral legislation due to the emotional feelings it brings up for families. CAC is working hard at promoting the closure of institutions and increasing services in the community. Watch for SB 6780, HB 2498, and SB 6623.
Our Senator Hargrove is supporting SB 6202 which extends sentencing guidelines for crimes against a vulnerable adult.
To keep up on the current bills as they die or pass on please check out www.arcwa.org for updates. In addition get on their action alerts for sending critical emails on issues.
Advocacy Day ~ February 10, 2010
Reported by Tracy Wilson
The day started with the morning meeting in the United Churches basement, Ed Holen, Director of the Washington DD Council, kicked things off by saying “There is no more effective way for legislators to get the message that our issues are important than all of us talking to them one-on-one.”
Norm Davis, the next speaker, described his work in the area of developmental disabilities with Washington state. He was part of a team that helped put together a report about our large state-operated institutions. They found that our RHCs are outdated, no longer useful. The buildings are wearing out.
For the complete report on the Advocacy Day activities of Clallam County citizens discussing the issues and meeting legislators in the Capitol click here >>>>
/Advocacy Day February 10 2010.doc
Winter 2010 Advocacy Notes
Clallam County Group Goes to Olympia
Advocacy Day in Olympia – Wednesday, January 20, 2010
By Tracy Wilson, Field Trip Organizer and care provider
Click here for the complete report of the Advocacy Capitol visit > Winter 2010 Advocacy.doc
Snap provides advocacy & support to families
If you are visiting the SNAP website from Clallam County and are not signed up to receive DDD services you can contact the Department of Developmental Disabilities at 360-565-2700.
Even though the service you need right now may not be currently available - it is important to get put on the wait list so that when the list is opened up you may be able to get the services you need, If you are visiting our website from Clallam County, in Washington State - and aren't signed up to received services from DDD (Department of Developmental Disabilities), you can call DDD at (360) 565-2700 and ask them to send you one.
November 2009 Advocacy News & Notes
November 02, 2009
Family caregivers provide nearly $8 billion annually in unpaid services Governor proclaims November as Family Caregiver Month
Click here for full November report /November 2009 Advocacy News.doc
December 2009 Advocacy Notes
2010 Washington State
Parent Coalition Legislative Priorities
People with developmental disabilities are vulnerable.
Jenell DeMatteo
So much work is being done at our county and state level by people with disabilities and their friends, families and the many others who support them.
Without all of these efforts life would be much different ~ children with disabilities would not be able to go to school with their friends who don't happen to have a disability. The vast majority of people with any type of disability would still be living in institutions. Join us in putting a shout out for equality and become involved in making changes in your own neighborhood, at local schools, and at the state level.
For some great resources and updates that will add hope to your life.
Community Advocacy Coalition
Meeting notes from the Oct.5, 2009 meeting of the Clallam County Community Advocacy Coalition
SNAP received a contract in the fall of 2007 from Clallam County to facilitate a Parent Coalition for Clallam County. The Washington State Parent Coalition is comprised of 16 Parent Coalitions representing counties and in some cases more than one county.
Snap invites parents who want their voices to be heard at the state level regarding services for their children with developmental disabilities.
We encourage parents to be included who would be willing to respond quickly to “Rapid Response Emails”. This would require that you look over the information and contact our area legislators to educate them about how proposed bills or how changes in funding would impact your family.
Paren't Coalition Efforts are directed toward:
|
* Working for a better future for people with developmental disabilities
* Accessing and improving the service delivery system
* Linking families with community supports
* Ensuring adequate funding for programs and services
* Forming a strong advocacy base
* Impacting opinion leaders and policy makers through legislative advocacy
·
|
While Parent Coalitions vary in scope and funding, they typically draw from various parent groups to form a committed coalition that addresses common needs and concerns among people with developmental disabilities and those who support them. Many of the Parent Coalitions receive local funding from their County Developmental Disabilities offices.
View our resource column for up-to-date links to information that will help you in your advocacy efforts. If you would like to be a part of Clallam County’s Parent Coalition,please email Jenell DeMatteo at jenell@snapcc.org
