The Community Advocacy Coalition met with DSHS Secretary
Susan Dreyfus, Assistant Secretary Kathy Leitch, and Linda Rolfe on May 3, 2010
in Olympia.
The discussion mostly settled upon the RHCs and potential
closure.
Secretary Dreyfus made it clear that there is much
polarization on this subject between families with loved ones in the
institutions versus self-advocates and other family members who live in the
community. CACs position focused on funding needed to be in the community
rather than the institutions. There are many people in our state that are not
receiving any services or have more needs than the services provide. She
expressed concern that we should try to work together rather than be polarized.
Other discussion formulated on the budget and case management.
High praise was given to the Self-Advocates: SAW, SAIL,
and People First for all their legislative advocacy that got the bill passed
for respectful language. In addition, praise was given to all the advocates who
worked so hard this session to keep as much funding in place for people with
developmental disabilities.
Statewide Parent Coalition Meeting, May 4, 2010, Chehalis WA
This was our quarterly meeting where we review our own
procedures for operating and review the legislative session. Our disappointment
was discussed for the lack of closure of the institutions. We voted on Lance
Moorehouse to continue to be the Statewide PC coordinator. We took pride in the
work towards keeping transition student money in the budget for the counties
(our focus for 2010) and how pro-county we promoted to the legislators. The
numbers are growing for DDD services: estimated that in 2010 we have 38,000
statewide and in 2020 it could be up to 51,000. We need to keep the pressure on
for families not being served.
2010 Legislative Session Review Meeting
“Nothing About Us, Without Us”
Please Join Snap for a dinner meeting to review the 2010 Legislative Session, share your input on how your advocacy day went in Olympia, discuss strategies for next year, and learn how the budget and bills came out for our community in 2010. We will also discuss our plans for a Legislative Forum in October. This will be a wonderful opportunity to learn about Advocacy and how your voice makes a difference. Everyone is encouraged to attend.
Monday April 19 at Snap Office from 5:30-7 p.m.
Follow the discussions People First, Sail and The ARC had during 2010 Advocacy Days about bills they watched 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
People First and Sail supported and worked on: HB 2490 The Respectful Language Bill that replaces “mental retardation” with “intellectual disability” in state language. They passed out buttons to support passing this bill.
Another key issue this session was 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 legislations due to the emotional feelings it brings up for families. CAC worked hard at promoting the closure of institutions and increasing services in the community. Our Senator Hargrove supported SB 6202 which extends sentencing guidelines for crimes against a vulnerable adult.
To keep current about bills that passed please check out www.arcwa.org for updates. In addition get on their action alerts for sending critical emails on future issues.
Advocacy Day gratitude emphasis
~ Advocacy Day Report ~ March 3, 2010 ~
Today’s meeting marked the end of the legislative session. As of today, the Respectful Language bill has passed the Senate. Federally, the bill is in the Senate Rules Committee, and is almost certain to pass. Other bills still eligible for a floor vote include extending sentencing guidelines for crimes against vulnerable adults, and addressing the dropout rates including special education students. Click here for the complete report >>>>> Advocacy Day 3-3-10.pdf
High School students participate in Advocacy Days
~ Advocacy Day Report ~ Feb. 24, 2010 ~
The day began with a rally for Independent Living on the steps of the capitol building in Olympia. Our group consisted of transition-aged students from Port Angeles High School, with their staff person, as well as two self-advocates from People First. We stood in the rain and listened. A variety of speakers shared with us their personal experiences with disability and the system-one man who had moved into the community after years of living in a state facility, and how glad he is to be living in a community setting. Another person spoke about leading the life of an active, non-disabled community member until six or seven years ago she had a stroke that changed her life radically and forever. Speakers with and without disabilities, one after another, encouraged al of us to keep fighting the good fight, or organize to show up, and constantly remind our legislators who we are, what riches we bring to the table, and how deeply their decisions decide the course and quality of our lives.
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
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
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.
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
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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
Below are links to information and resources from around the state, U.S.A and Clallam County.
Washington Pave - parent directed organization that works with families, individuals with disabilities, professionals and community members in all walks of life and with all types of disabilities.
