The Washington State Legislature directed the development of a 10-year strategic plan to transform the state's system of services and supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The Developmental Disabilities Administration, part of the Department of Social and Health Services, has contracted with Berry Dunn, a consulting firm, to support the planning process, which will include community engagement, input analysis and development of a written plan for steering committee approval.
The steering committee overseeing the process will include self-advocates, families, community advocates, partners and service providers. The state said it is following the principle of "nothing about us without us," which it described as increased access and representation for people with direct lived experiences in policy-making.
The planning process is expected to produce a community-driven roadmap that will serve as a shared vision for the future and inform the state's ongoing strategic plan.