Employment is the typical manner in which most adults have opportunities to experience the benefits of a valued life. Having a good job provides opportunities to gain competence, status, power and choice, improve health and safety, interact with co-workers and supervisors and experience active daily life in the community. The focus of employment is to get people real jobs with good wages. Seven essential elements provide the framework for employment, including:
1.Mission, values, and vision of employment;
2.Stakeholder leadership (self-advocates and their families);
3.Partnerships and collaboration (we collaborate with anyone who can help);
4.Focus on employment;
5.Capacity and skills of employment agencies (contracted providers);
6.Technical assistance and training; and
7.Data reporting and fiscal models.
DDA supports Employment and Day Programs through contractual partnerships with Washington State’s 39 counties. A list of services can be found at:
Eligibility Requirements / Individuals who:
- Are age 2 or younger and have evidence of one of the following:
- Developmental delay measured by developmental assessment tools administered by qualified professionals as described in WAC 388-823-0850;
- A diagnosis of Down syndrome by a licensed physician;
- A determination of eligibility for the DDA Medically Intensive Children’s Program (MICP); and
- A diagnosis by a licensed physician or licensed psychologist of a condition that is so severe the child is unable to demonstrate the minimal skills required to complete a developmental evaluation or assessment.
- Are age 21 and over, meet the other requirements contained in Chapter 388-823, and have evidence of the following:
- A developmental disability (RCW 71A.10.020(3)attributable to intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, or another neurological or other condition found by DDA to be closely related to intellectual disability or requiring treatment similar to that required for individuals with intellectual disability;
- Originate prior to age eighteen;
- Be expected to continue indefinitely; and
- Result in substantial limitations to the individual's adaptive functioning.
Authority /
- Chapter 388-823 WAC, DDA Intake and Determination of Developmental Disabilities
- Chapter 388-825 WAC, DD Services Rules
- WAC 388-828-9200, DDA Assessment Employment Acuity Scale
- WAC 388-828-9300, DDA Assessment Community Access Acuity Scale
- Chapter 388-845 WAC, Home and Community Based Services Waivers
- Chapter 388-850 WAC, County Plan for Developmental Disabilities
Budget /
N/A
Rates / N/APartners /
- Individuals receiving services and their families
- Counties
- Qualified service providers
- Advocacy organizations
- Aging and Long Term Support Administration (ALTSA)
- DSHS Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)
- Behavioral Health and Service Integration Administration (BHSIA)
Oversight / External
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
- Commission for Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facility
- DSHS DVR
- State Auditor’s Office
- DDA monitoring and evaluation process of Counties and client service
- County contracts have requirements for monitoring subcontracted providers and client service
Information Contact /
Developmental Disabilities Administration
Mark Eliason, Chief, Office of Program and Policy Development360/725-3452
Email:
Website:
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