DIVISION OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
Contact: Linda Rolfe
Department of Social and Health Services
P.O. Box 45310
Olympia, WA 98504-5340
Telephone: 360.725.3413
E-mail: rolfela@dshs.wa.gov
State Website: http://www.dshs.wa.gov/ddd/index.shtml

Link to County Employment Program Offices: http://www.dshs.wa.gov/word/adsa/ddd/county_coord.doc
Link to DDD Eligibility Requirements: http://www.dshs.wa.gov/ddd/eligible.shtml

Participation: 7,183 individuals participated in DDD/County Employment Services during July 1, 2006-June 30, 2007.

Who is Served: DDD eligible clients, age 21 and older, with a DDD County Service Authorization to receive employment services.

Program Description: DDD Employment Services, contracted through county offices, helps individuals with developmental disabilities determine their work interests and abilities, find a job, learn the job and keep the job. Support is also provided if a new job or different job is needed, or when job duties change and assistance is needed to learn the new job requirements. DDD employment services provide ongoing support and training for eligible persons to work in a variety of settings.

Program History: During the 1950s and 1960s families of people with developmental disabilities advocated for local service options that would provide alternatives to placing their sons and daughters into state institutions. Kaye Epton, a powerful senator in the state Legislature, drafted and supported passage of the Epton Bill, which among other things offered children (who were not admitted to public schools) a day program option in local Developmental Centers. Over the years, new children entered these centers, and as they grew up, they remained there. In 1972, Washington passed the first “Education for All” bill (Congress followed in 1974 with IDEA) and children with developmental disabilities had the opportunity to leave the local Developmental Centers to enter their neighborhood public schools. 

As a result, in the 1970s and 1980s, many Developmental Centers changed focus to provide day programs for adults with severe developmental disabilities. During that time, people with mild developmental disabilities were generally served in sheltered workshops. At the same time, on the national level, people like Dr. Marc Gold were starting to demonstrate innovative practices for training techniques enabling people with very severe disabilities to learn complex tasks and work independently. In 1979, Washington State DDD, county and day program staff formed a committee to evaluate Developmental Center and Sheltered Workshop activities and propose system changes to increase the competence and independence of persons with disabilities.  The committee focused on building job skills that would lead to employment and wages.

Early in the 1980s, counties and day program vendors began to report to the state on employment outcomes – including wages, benefits, time spent on the job and the overall job environment. As people with disabilities obtained jobs outside workshops and centers, providers changed practice and expectations and more people were employed. Over the past 30 years, Washington has made consistent improvements in employment outcomes and today many more individuals with developmental disabilities are employed in jobs than are working in sheltered workshops.

Planning Cycle: Every two years. Counties also prepare and submit plans every two years to DDD.

State Core Measures: Not yet developed for DDD employment outcomes.

Outcome Measures: DDD requires counties and their subcontractors to report employment status outcomes including:

1. wages
2. benefits
3. work hours
4. work environment
1. individual employment
2. group supported employment (crew or enclave work of eight or fewer individuals)
3. specialized industry (sheltered workshop)

Funding and State Regional Divisions and County Programs: DDD is headquartered in Lacey. State DDD client services, including eligibility determination and case management services, are offered through the six regional offices and 27 outstation office locations across the state. Washington’s 39 counties are responsible for DDD employment services contract administration.

State Funding: $41,087,000 (July 1, 2007 – June 30, 2008) State General Fund. This dollar amount represents the portion dedicated solely to employment services from DDD’s overall operating budget.

Federal Funding: $20,618,000 (July 1, 2007 – June 30, 2008) This dollar amount represents the portion dedicated solely to employment services from DDD’s overall operating budget.

Statutory Authority: State RCW 71A.14.040, WAC 388.850.035, WAC 388.825