DDA Family Advisory Council

The Department of Social and Health Services’ Developmental Disabilities Administration is excited to announce the creation of the DDA Family Advisory Council. This Council reflects DDA’s ongoing commitment to have those with lived experience help guide our work.

The DDA Guiding Values (Inclusion ~ Status and Contribution ~ Relationships Power and Choice ~ Health and Safety ~ Competence) drive the services and supports available in Washington state, and we recognize that family members and self-advocates are at the heart of these values.

The mission of the Family Advisory Council will be to ensure that the programs, policies and procedures of DDA reflect the experiences, wisdom and advocacy of the family members of DDA eligible clients. Council members will have opportunities to provide suggestions on how to improve the quality and effectiveness of our programs, while DDA staff will seek input from the Council to ensure robust, transparent, accessible communication with eligible individuals and their families.

Please click HERE for more information and to apply.

Disability - Behavior - School

What to Know When Disability Impacts Behavior and Discipline at School.

Behavior is a form of communication, and children often try to express their needs and wants more through behavior than words. When a young person has a disability or has experienced trauma or other distress, adults and authorities may need to put in extra effort to understand. Missed cues and unmet needs can result in unexpected and sometimes explosive behaviors, which may lead schools to suspend or expel students. Schools are required to address students’ behavioral health needs and limit use of punitive discipline.

Click on the following link for information on how to support your child -

https://wapave.org/what-parents-need-to-know-when-disability-impacts-behavior-and-discipline-at-school/

Parent Support Meetings

Sept 28th 6:30-8pm Dinner Meeting Ellensburg Pasta Co. Corner of 6th and Main.

Enjoy some time connecting with parents of children/adults with disabilities. These meetings are for sharing resources and supporting each other.

Oct 9th 6:30-7:30pm Virtual Support Meeting

Join us virtually as we share info about local resources, services, school and more.

For Zoom ID and Passcode, email KittitasCountyParent2Parent@gmail.com

Oct 12th 12-1pm Lunch Meeting El Caporal 201 W. University Way