AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS: - 10th Annual King County School-to-Work Transition Resource Fair; 9 am to 3:30 pm on March 11 at the Highline College Student Union Building, and March 14 at The Commons at Microsoft. Click here for details in multiple languages
STATE ACTION:
- A Senate bill would bring more person-centered flexibility, but some are concerned about consequences if we lose employment first
- Changes at the Department of Vocational Resources could end partnership with counties for School-to-Work programs
Advocates for employment services have been engaged at the
state level this past month.
There is a bill in the state Senate that would give
individuals with developmental disabilities more flexibility to choose either community
access or employment services through the Developmental Disability
Administration (DDA). It passed
policy and fiscal committees in the Senate and needs a vote by the full chamber before moving
over to the House. It is currently before the Rules Committee. Advocates are split on the issue, with some arguing people with
I/DD with high acuity need options other than employment first, while
others worry that moving away from employment first could mean these individuals
are never exposed to employment at all.
Please see information about 2SSB 5201, in the Possible
Legislation section, below.
In separate news, there is some uncertainty about the future
of School-to-Work (S2W) services offered through a partnership with the
Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), school districts and counties. In
King County, this successful program is run by the Developmental Disabilities Division and helps
ensure students who qualify for the program leave school with a job.
Last month, DVR said it would not renew contracts with the
counties. That decision is on hold for now. Please see the letter from the King County Developmental
Disabilities Division, below, for a School-to-Work Update.
POSSIBLE LEGISLATION
2SSB 5201
Concerning individuals receiving both employment and
community access services.
This bill has changed quite a bit from its initial
introduction, when it called for minimum access to 20 hours of community
participation each week for clients enrolled in either community access or
employment services; allowing clients to participate in both employment and
community access at the same time; and eliminated the requirement for nine months
of employment services before a client could try community access. Initial testimony
in support focused on clients with no or just a few work hours and who needed
options for community interaction; testimony from those with concerns focused on the benefits of
trying employment first.
This latest version, which needs to be voted on by the
Senate this week:
- Requires the state Developmental Disability Administration (DDA) to give clients aged 21 and older the option to select employment services or community access services at any point in the employment discovery process.
- Gives adult DDA clients the option to opt in or out of employment services, community access services, or both services at any time.
- Requires DDA to offer services based on the client's individual, person-centered plan that are appropriate for the client's needs.
Trying employment first for nine months is no longer referenced
in the bill, but for now at least it is a requirement of the state's federal
contract. The Washington State Parent Coalitions have not taken a position on the bill and The Arc of Washington is neutral. Some advocates active in the King County Parent and Family Coalition have testified to the importance of employment.
- You can read summaries of testimony pro and con in this bill summary.
- To share your position and comments on the bill with your state senator or representatives, please click here. (Then click on the “Comment on this bill” button.)
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SCHOOL TO WORK UPDATE
The Arc of Washington set up an action alert when DVR first
announced it would not renew School-to-Work contracts. That decision has since been
put on hold, but The Arc of Washington still encourages people to weigh in and let the
governor and his public policy advisor know how important this program is for
people with significant developmental disabilities.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION:
The following letter was sent to employment
support contractors by the program manager of King County’s School-to-Work
program. The county is committed to the program and funding for it will
continue through at least next year.
Dear King County S2W Contractors,
As many of you know, Counties, DVR and DDA continue to meet
to clarify services, roles and processes to effectively serve students in S2W. While
all parties remain committed to serving transition students, the system details
regarding processes and services are still being discussed. King County’s first
priority is to maintain services for any student who wants to work by guiding
families, supporting providers and honoring long-term relationships with
partners and stakeholders. The information below is intended to add some
clarity in our guidance to students and families as we continue into
“enrollment season” for the 2018 S2W cohort:
- The Transition Fairs are moving forward as planned,
including school and parent gatherings.
If you plan on being a King County S2W Provider, see you at the
Fairs! Please sign up if you haven’t.
- At this time we are not requiring students and families to apply to DVR to be eligible for King County S2W. We are confident this will be less confusing and less disruptive for all involved while we clarify roles and services in cooperation with DVR. We will work with you and schools to make the necessary referrals to DVR as related S2W services and processes are confirmed.
- As has always been the case, students and families may choose to go to DVR directly to access employment services. It is important that it is clear that this is an option is available for any student seeking employment services in King County.
- As you plan your budgets, please know that King County has committed to accessing reserves to maintain funding levels for S2W if needed through at least the 2018 cohort.
We realize that this time of system transition may cause
some confusion for stakeholders, students and families. We will continue to communicate with you as
we have new information, and encourage you to contact us with questions or
concerns. Your leadership and
collaboration within in the S2W program is always highly valued by King County:
it doesn’t work without you and your success in supporting students. Through this time, with your continued
collaboration and good work, I am confident we will emerge a stronger program
built on a foundation of deeper partnerships.
-
As always, we encourage you to engage on the issues that matter to you and your loved ones.
- Ramona Hattendorf, Director of Advocacy, The Arc of King County
