NGA Policy Academy - Young Adults with Disabilities

Washington is one of five states participating in a National Governors Association policy academy airmed at aligning policies and practices affecting young adults with disabilities. By coordinating their efforts, they aim to increase postsecondary employment, training and education for those affected.

Members meet monthly. They have identified weaknesses in the state's current youth transition policies and are developing strategies to overcome them including linking with complementary work on high school restructuring and K-12 educational effectiveness.

Washington State's Policy Academy Vision:
This vision statement and the outcomes and findings of Washington's Academy team is helping to inform policy direction for key stakeholders as they develop High Skills, High Wages 2006 - Washington's Strategic Plan for Workforce Development.

What we want for young people with disabilities as they transition to independence.

For the NGA Academy Project Team:
All of Washington State's diverse population of young people graduate from high school prepared for success in further education or employment, and supported by engaged families and a visible, culturally-competent network to achieve these outcomes.

For the Young Person:
A job I can be proud of, a place to live, and the opportunity to make choices about my life.

Washington State's Policy Academy Goals:

• Mapping the extent of the challenge, relevant policies, and current services.
• Improving inter-agency collaboration.
• Strengthening accountability.
• Empowering consumers through community-supported individualized services.
• Institutionalizing the changes.

Policy Academy Members

Member	Role
Kari Burrell	Governor Gregoire 's Executive Policy Advisor on Human Services
Kathy Bartlett	OSPI Director of Special Education and Learning Improvement
Cinda Johnson	Principal Investigator, Center for Change in Transition Services
Martin McCallum	Policy Analyst, Workforce Board
Lynnae Ruttledge	Director, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)
Linda Rolfe	Director, Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)
Eleni Papadakis	Executive Director, Workforce Board
Sue Elliott	Executive Director, Arc of Washington
Karen Lee	Commissioner, Employment Security Department
Terry Redmon	DVR Special Programs Chief
Linda Pratt	Director of Vocational Rehabilitation Programs, Yakama Nation Representative
Maralyn Chase	32nd Legislative District.