The Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)

The Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) provides case management and supportive services for children and adults (all ages) with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities in Washington State. Typical services available through DDA include: personal Care, nursing care, family support, out-of-home placement, respite, therapies, assistive technologies and case management. Many of these services, however, may have long waiting lists. Be sure to ask your child’s case manager about services and to get added to appropriate waiting lists.

It is important to be signed up with DDA because it will open doors into other services. It is especially vital to have when your student turns 18 year old. 

More information on eligibility and services: LINK 

DDA and Employment:

The Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) provides long-term employment/day services to eligible individuals age 21 and over. Services may include:

• Individual Supported Employment: discovery (identifying interests, strengths, needs), assessment, job preparation, job placement & coaching;

• Group Supported Employment: supervised employment for groups of no more than 8 workers with disabilities in the same setting;

• Community Access: participation in activities that promote individualized skill development, independent living and community integration.

It’s important to find out, prior to exiting the school system, how to apply for these services (and if funding will be available). Although DDA does not provide employment services until age 21, other home & community-based services may be available. Visit the DDA website for a full list of services.

https://www.dshs.wa.gov/dda

Local office: (800) 248-0949

HOUSING: https://www.dshs.wa.gov/dda/community-residential-services-adults

EMPLOYMENT: https://www.dshs.wa.gov/dda/employment-and-day-programs

The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)

The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) helps adults with disabilities find and secure stable employment.  Their focus is kickstarting a path into employment. DVR services are not long-term (hours are limited and vary depending on funding and need). Their purpose is to provide the necessary tools and assistance for initial job placement. 

The role of DVR in High School Transition:

DVR partners with school districts to help students receiving high school transition services prepare for and find employment. This typically happens during the final year of school (age 20-21). You need to apply at least 2 years before your trainee exits the transition program (usually when they are 19-20 yrs old). 

What it looks like to work with DVR:

• Assessments, interviews, and observations to figure out trainee needs

• Job skills workshops, job shadows, workplace tours, etc. 

• Possible placement into a paid position

• Provide a certain amount of hours training and supervising trainee at worksite (limited hours, not long-term)

What if my trainee gets placed at a job but still needs more long-term support and assistance? 

DVR can help them transition to long-term supports such as DDA (The agency listed above. Their employment services kicks in when your trainee turns 21). 

https://www.dshs.wa.gov/dvr/services-individuals-disabilities

Local office: (360) 397-9960

BenefitU - (Social Security) 

Learn about your benefits now!

BenefitU offers individualized benefits information and planning services.  To see if you are eligible for these services, click here.

We’ve spent years learning the ins and outs of the Social Security system and how it affects people who experience DD/ID. We know it can be very confusing, which is why we’re here to help! We have a network of Benefits Planners that can help you get the answers you need, at NO COST to you. Send us an email at support@benefitu.org or book an appointment with our online intake scheduling tool to get started solving your Social Security Benefits puzzle today! 

https://www.benefitu.org/

Getting to know your disability related benefits and related community resources can be a heavy lift, especially if you’re in a pinch or going through changes. The sites and resources below are tools that we feel may be helpful as you’re building your knowledge around your benefits, especially if work and earnings are a part of the picture.

BenefitU.org: The BenefitU website provides information and resources related to Social Security benefits for the disability community, including options for individualized benefits planning. If you are interested in benefits planning services, please view this link for a video walk through.

SSA.gov: Social Security’s website providing access to information and updates related to all Social Security benefits.

SSI Wage Reporting: Walks through process for reporting wages to Social Security. Reporting wages is required for SSI recipients, though we suggest reporting all wages regardless of benefit to ensure SSA’s accuracy of information. This site also offers option for reminder texts or emails related to reporting deadlines.

MySSA Account: Online account that provides personalized information related to benefit eligibility status, wage reporting, apply for benefits, and more

Washington ABLE Accounts: Savings strategy that allows people to accumulate resources beyond standard benefit thresholds and maintain eligibility for benefits.

DDA Endowment Trust Fund: Additional savings strategy that allows people to accumulate resources beyond standard benefit thresholds and maintain eligibility for benefits.

Washington Connection: Washington State resource that allows families and individuals too access information and apply for food, cash, and other benefits and/or services.

Plan-For-Work - (Social Security Benefits)

If you are a Social Security disability beneficiary and would like to know how work may affect your benefits, we can provide information about work incentives to help you make informed decisions about work. You can increase your financial stability and independence, fulfillment, and community involvement. You can also gain a greater sense of purpose and give back to your community. 

https://www.droregon.org/plan-for-work

Job Foundations - Clark County

https://clark.wa.gov/community-services/job-foundation-project

In 2018, the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) received funding from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid to develop a team approach to increase employment outcomes for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Partnering with Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), Educational Service Districts (ESD), local schools, Clark County Developmental Disabilities Program, supported employment providers, families and students,

the purpose of the project is to:

• Engage students earlier in employment and post-graduation planning

• Connect students and families to community partners and resources

• Increase partnership with school staff, supported employment agencies and other community partners to complete students’ Job Foundation Report that includes actionable next steps for employment and future planning

What are the qualifications to be eligible for the project?  

• You must remain eligible for services with the Developmental Disabilities Administration  

• You must remain enrolled in school throughout the project  

• You must choose a qualified Employment Provider to work with  

• Eligibility or an application for SSI must be complete or pending through the Social Security Administration as this will assist with long term funding for on the job supports (create a My Social Security account at https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/)  

• You will need to apply for Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) when your Employment Provider completes your Job Foundation report.

C-Van - (Public Transportation)

C-TRAN’s paratransit service, referred to as C-VAN, is an origin to destination, shared ride service that provides service within specified boundaries in Clark County, WA. C-VAN is a reservation-based service for riders whose disability prevents them from riding our fixed-route bus system. C-VAN service is designed to mirror fixed-route and is equal to, not better than, the fixed-route system. 

C-VAN is public transportation, so riders share their rides with others. C-VAN dispatchers work hard to group rides for efficiency, which is essential for meeting the demands of all riders for hundreds of trips scheduled every day.

C-VAN trips may be for any purpose, other than a medical emergency. Riders may use C-VAN to go to work, school, visits to friends and family, shopping, church, appointments, and many other trip purposes. C-TRAN may not give one trip priority over another.

https://mail.c-tran.com/c-tran-services/paratransit-service 

All C-VAN riders must qualify and be approved for paratransit service before riding. For information on how to apply, click here.