Developmental Disabilities Council

Washington State Children’s CORE Indicators Review Panel Results

October 2004

WHAT IS THE CORE INDICATORS STUDY?

The National Core Indicators Study is a collaboration among states to pool resources and create performance indicators.

States use the information for comparison & state-specific research.

The Developmental Disabilities Council convened a panel of self-advocates and family members to review the

results of the Children’s Core Indicators surveys done in

Washington State in 2000 and 2002.

DDC Panel Recommendations

Improvements are needed in four areas according to the data that was examined:

• Services and Supports/Services;

• Information and Planning;

• Choice and Control; and

• Community Connections.

GENERAL AREA OF IMPROVEMENT NEEDED # 1

1. DDD should request more funding for in-home respite care & family support.

2. DDD should improve and increase emergency supports for families.

3. DDD should provide services in languages families speak.

DDD RESPONSE TO RECOMMENDATION #1

DDD should request more funding for in-home respite care & family support.

The request from DDD to the Governor for funding for

2005-2007 contains line items supporting increased MPC, family support for children

over 13 not on the waiver and more spots on the Basic

Waiver.

DDD RESPONSE TO RECOMMENDATION #1

DDD should improve and increase emergency supports for families.

In April 2005 DDD began four new Home and Community Based Waivers (HCBS) which increase the availability of emergency supports for the 10,000 people on the waivers, including families of children on the waiver.

A respite assessment was begun in September 2004 to determine need and provide supports to help families stay out of crisis.

DDD RESPONSE TO RECOMMENDATION #1

DDD should provide services in languages families speak.

•The Governor and DSHS require a diversity plan from each administration and division. DDD has a diversity plan in place which includes:

•Recruitment of minority staff

•Recruitment of providers who speak the language of those for whom they provide services.

GENERAL AREA OF IMPROVEMENT NEEDED # 2

1. Increase ways families can access information about services provided by DDD and in the community.

2. Provide education and support opportunities in a manner that is easy-to-access and understand.

DDD RESPONSE TO RECOMMENDATION #2

Increase ways families can access information about services provided by DDD and in the community.

DDD has a “Real Choices” Grant that has created 24 Local Councils across the state. The mission of these councils is to find out what information and education is needed in the community and find ways to provide that information. The grant ends in 2005, but the Local Councils will continue their work.

DDD RESPONSE TO RECOMMENDATION #2

Provide education & support opportunities in a manner that is easy-to-access & understand.

DDD has partnered with the DDC to provide training on the new

waivers.

DDD has developed a website to provide information that is

readily available.

DDD is currently developing an integrated long-term plan for

education for those who use our services and their families.

GENERAL AREA OF IMPROVEMENT NEEDED # 3

DDD should continue to provide & increase opportunities for families to exercise choice and control over the services and supports they need.

DDD RESPONSE TO RECOMMENDATION #3

Continue to provide & increase opportunities for families to exercise choice and control over the services and supports they

need.

DDD included in the new Waivers the opportunity for families to state what is needed and request services that meet those needs.

Those receiving Family Support funding outside of the waivers, have a block grant of dollars that they can choose how to use.

DDD has requested new family support funding for parents of children in their teens in the DSHS decision package.

DDD RESPONSE TO RECOMMENDATION #3

Increase families’ awareness of information about resources and services available in the community.

DDD and the Counties are partnering on a project to identify “Community Markers” to enable advocates, counties and the state to identify community strengths and weaknesses.

Through a targeted survey a community can assess where that community excels and where more effort resources need to be developed.

The survey is currently being piloted in a few counties.

GENERAL AREA OF IMPROVEMENT NEEDED # 4

1. DDD should continue to recognize the value of community inclusion and work with families to increase their ability to be active participants in their communities.

2. DDD should increase access to assistive technology that will improve children’s lives in their homes and increase their ability to participate in the community.

DDD RESPONSE TO RECOMMENDATION # 4

Continue to recognize the value of community inclusion in the lives of persons with developmental disabilities & work with families and

individuals to increase their ability to be active participants in their communities.

DDD has adopted the “Working Age Adults Work” policy to encourage every person to be on a pathway to integrated employment and to leave no one behind.

Over the next two years the policy will be implemented for all people on the division caseload.

DDD RESPONSE TO RECOMMENDATION # 4

Increase access to assistive technology that will improve children’s lives and increase community participation

DDD included assistive technology as a fundable item under the new HCBS Waivers.

DDD also funds assistive technology under the Family support grants for non-waiver families.