Developmental Disabilities
About the Program
Mission Statement
To work with people with developmental disabilities, families, and the community to promote everyone's well-being, rights, choices, and opportunities in living as valued, contributing and integrated members of our community.
What We Do
The Developmental Disabilities Program works with community partners to provide services for people with disabilities and their families. The program is responsible for:
- County-wide Information and Education
- Employment and Community Inclusion paid programs for adults 21 and older
- Assist eligible transition students to obtain paid employment prior to exiting school at age 21
Primary funding for all services comes from the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services through the Developmental Disabilities Administration.
Providers
Career Quest
360-427-7300
Thurston and Mason County services provided: Supported Employment, Community Inclusion
Centerforce
253-584-1001
Thurston County services provided: Supported Employment, High School Transition/School to Work, Job Foundation
Exceptional Foresters, Inc
360-426-007
Thurston and Mason County services provided: Supported Employment, Community Inclusion, High School Transition/School to Work, Job Foundation
Morningside
360-943-0512
Thurston County services provided: Supported Employment, High School Transition/School to Work, Job Foundation, Job Club
Vadis
360-999-8273
Thurston County services provided: Supported Employment, Community Inclusion, High School Transition/School to Work, Job Foundation
Arc of the Peninsulas
360-377-3473
Mason County services provided: Healthy Relationships classes, Job Club (Shelton School District), Representative Payee, Parent Coalition
Thurston County services provided: Representative Payee
Arc of Washington
360-357-3279
Thurston County services provided: Parent Coalition
Coastal Community Action
360-500-4532
Thurston and Mason County services provided: Transportation for clients engaged in work activities, Representative Payee
Kokua Services
360-705-4665
Thurston County services provided: Hummingbird Art Studio, LEAD Mentorship Program
M. Meyer Consulting, Inc
360-904-8938
Thurston County services provided: Technical Assistance and Training
Fox Associates Consultation LLC
425-864-0703
Thurston County services provided: Person Centered Planning
People First of Washington
253-999-7222 or 253-273-9158
Thurston and Mason County services provided: Personal Advocacy and Education
Senior Services for South Sound
360-586-6181
Thurston County services provided: Senior Inclusion Program
South Sound Parent to Parent
360-352-1126
Thurston and Mason County services provided: Helping Parent Program, Building Blocks Program and Spanish Support Group
Thurston County Inclusion
360-515-8080
Thurston County services provided: Summer Camp, Year-round Activities
WISE
206-343-0881
Thurston and Mason County services provided: Technical Assistance/Individual Technical Assistance
Discovery, Assessment, Job Preparation Guidelines provides guidance and parameters for the provision of discovery, assessment, and job preparation services.
Request For Additional Service Hours outlines the process for requesting a change in the maximum number of monthly service hours available to a client.
Incident Reporting Guidelines contains information for agency personnel to follow regarding serious and emergent incidents.
Monthly Billing Guidelines contains monthly billing standards for agency personnel to follow.
Client Service Update Guidelines contains information for agencies to follow when completing monthly billing.
Self-Employment Guidelines provide information about obtaining long-term supports for clients who are self-employed.
The Developmental Disabilities Program has an ongoing application process for agencies who would like to provide Individual Supported Employment and Community Inclusion or Individualized Technical Assistance. Click on the below Application Packet for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The Washington State Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) defines a developmental disability as a disability attributed to an intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, or another neurological or other condition. A developmental disability originates before the individual reached 18 years of age, is expected to continue indefinitely, and results in a substantial limitation to the individual. Visit DDA's website for more information about DDA's Eligibility Determination.
Thurston and Mason County Contracted Providers Directory lists the current contracted providers and the services they provide.
A person must first be eligible for Washington State DSHS DDA services. You will need to contact the DDA Intake & Eligibility Office at 800-248-0949. The DDA staff will conduct an assessment to determine if an individual is eligible and if funding is available to provide assistance in obtaining and keeping a job.
Read our guide entitled "It's Up to You!".
Angela Carlson-Whitley of Carlson-Whitley & Luther, LLP discusses guardianship in Washington State and alternatives to guardianship. Her practice focuses primarily on guardianship/conservatorship and trust administration.