Don't change eligibility - protect DDA services and language access
Invest in employment and housing
King County and its Board for Developmental Disabilities, a citizen's advisory board that provides oversight of DD community services, have finalized the county's 2021 legislative priorities for developmental disabilities.
Preserve and Protect the Safety Net for Individuals with Disabilities Across Their Lifespan
Recommended Actions:
- Maintain current eligibility criteria for state Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) paid services to ensure people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) continue to access Medicaid State Plan and Waiver services including employment, community inclusion, respite, personal care, and residential services.
- Maintain interpreter services provided by the State Health Care Authority, including video interpretation services to ensure effective delivery of essential services.
Invest in Employment and Housing for People with Disabilities to Support Economic Recovery
Recommended Actions:
- Protect employment funding and ensure all state DDA eligible students leaving high school in 2021-2023 are added to the Basic Plus Waiver in order to receive employment and other needed services.
- Increase the supply of affordable housing, including housing for individuals with I/DD and their families, through investments that include $250 million for the Housing Trust Fund.
The Arc of King County and representatives from its Community Change Champions and King County Parent and Family Coalition joined other community volunteers on the DD board's legislative committee to discuss and offer input on these priorities.
The county will share and discuss them with state legislators representing parts of King County at a legislative forum on Monday, November 23. The public is invited to attend! It will be presented online, with interpretation support.
