News & Announcements
Dan Thompson Account Survey
Seeking your input! DDA is asking for your participation to provide input on future awards from the Dan Thompson Memorial Developmental Disabilities Community Services Account. We want to hear from you about what the process should look like and what type of projects should be funded. Please complete the survey below by close of business Oct. 13.
There is approximately $5 million dollars in the Dan Thompson Account for new applications to be spent by June 30, 2025.
RCW 71A.20.170 (6) states “Expenditures from the account must supplement, and may not replace, supplant, or reduce current state expenditure levels for supports and services in the community setting for eligible persons with developmental disabilities.” This means that grant awards cannot pay for services covered by DDA Home and Community Based Services waivers or Medicaid State Plan services.
Thank you for your input. The survey results will influence the design of the next round of applications for Dan Thompson Account funding.
Parent Institute for Engagement (PIE): Leadership and Lifelong Learning Parent Institute for Engagement (PIE):
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT) program is seeking parents/caregivers from a variety of backgrounds to participate in the State Interagency Coordinating Council (SICC) Parent Institute for Engagement (PIE): Leadership and Lifelong Learning.
PIE is a 12-month training program for parents/caregivers with children who have received early intervention services through the Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT) and primarily for those who are not currently working in the early intervention field. One spot is designated for a parent/caregiver working in the early intervention field. Our goal is to have a racially and geographically diverse group of participants.
Parents/Caregivers will learn about:
- Robert’s Rules of Order (a framework commonly used in public meetings)
- The State Interagency Coordinating Council and its role in advising and assisting ESIT
- The early intervention system
- Leadership and advocacy
- Public speaking and presentation
Throughout this training institute, you may have opportunities to participate on SICC standing committees as parent representative openings become available.
Participants will enhance their leadership skills and have the opportunity to practice those skills to be great candidates for school boards and government bodies.
Application deadline: August 4, 2023
Cohort 6 announced: August 11, 2023
DCYF Parent Advisory Group Recruitment: Applications Due June 30
Dear Parents and Guardians, Tribal Partners, DCYF Community Partners and Stakeholders,
DCYF is excited to announce the recruitment of parents and guardians for the Department of Children, Youth, and Families’ Parent Advisory Group (PAG)! At DCYF, we believe parents are their children’s first and most important teachers. PAG is a sounding board for decisions, ideas and questions that shape the future of DCYF. Parental involvement in decision-making is the key to having policies and programs that support families’ strengths and needs. The PAG is made up of parents and family caregivers of children, from prenatal through 17 years old.
To apply, please complete the application (English PAG application, Spanish PAG application, or Somali PAG application) or call Community Engagement Manager, Emily Morgan at 360-999-0009. Applications must be submitted by June 30. If you know someone who might be interested, feel free to share! We look forward to partnering with you and bettering the lives of children, youth, and families.
Sincerely, DCYF Community Engagement Team
dcyf.communityengagement@dcyf.wa.gov
First “Get to Know Your Family Led Organizations” Event Planned
The Washington Statewide Leadership Initiative invites family, caregivers, professionals, and anyone concerned about Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) in the state of Washington to meet some of the family led groups that are pledged to serve CYSHCN. There will be a brief introduction of several of these organizations, then break-out groups where you can chat directly with the family leaders of the organizations. Learn about what services are available through these organizations, what events and projects they are working on, and how you can get more involved with them.