LRW Program Specialist – Job Announcement The Lifespan Respite Program Specialist will assist caregivers across WA State obtain much needed breaks by utilizing the services of respite providers on the Lifespan Respite Washington (LRW) website. This position’s primary responsibilities will be to support caregivers utilize their funded voucher and assist with the implementing family camp Read More
A Brief Overview Every family experiences holidays and end-of-year transitions differently. This article provides a sampling of ideas for families with children experiencing special healthcare needs. If a child also experiences behavioral difficulties, you may wish to read Home for the Holidays: The Gift of Positive Behavior Support Here are some quick takeaways: Full Article Read More
Looking to the future can feel exciting, hopeful, confusing, overwhelming—or all emotions at once. For families supporting a young person with a disability, it’s never too soon to begin planning to ensure a smooth process from the teen years toward whatever happens next. This toolkit supports families as they organize this multiyear project. Presenting our Read More
The following information is part of the college readiness workbook. You can download this and other parts of this workbook for your personal use. Each document is fillable. Extended time Reading and seeing accommodations Recording responses Use of four-function calculator Assistive technology Breaks Other accommodations COVID – 19 Updates: Source: Accommodations and English Learner Supports Read More
When a student struggles to maintain well-being, achievement at school can be a challenge. This video provides key information for families to seek school-based services for behavioral health needs. Included are two advocacy statements that this information might empower you to say in a meeting with the school: “I want to make sure my student’s Read More
The decision to be vaccinated or when to mask can be confusing for anyone but for and individual that experiences anxiety, Autism, depression, or an Intellectual or Developmental disability the confusion around these decisions can be even more difficult. Willa experiences both High Functioning Autism and severe anxiety and this is a look into how Read More
A Brief Overview Alarming statistics indicate the pandemic worsened many behavioral health outcomes for young people. Governor Jay Inslee on March 14, 2021, issued an emergency proclamation declaring children’s mental health to be in crisis. President Joe Biden issued a Fact Sheet about the nation’s mental health crisis on March 1, 2022, as part of his State Read More
This year the waves of information have been high at times, often, and the content can shift or change. And here comes the much anticipated COVID Vaccines. This video was created to address some of the most common questions that may rise to the surface and where to go to find how the vaccine is Read More
A Brief Overview Full Article Parents have a variety of choices if the school denies a request to evaluate a student for special education or if the school does an evaluation and finds the student ineligible for services through an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Here are some options to consider. Is disability a factor? A student qualifies for IEP services when three Read More
A Brief Overview All families prepare for emergencies, but extra planning is critical when a loved one has a disability. The Family-To Family Health Information Center provides Information about COVID-19 and updates about local, regional, and statewide healthcare policies and programs. Virginia Commonwealth University offers an Emergency Preparedness Tool Kit for People with Disabilities through Read More
A Brief Overview School districts have an affirmative duty to locate, evaluate and potentially serve any infant, toddler or school-aged student impacted by disability under the Child Find Mandate — part of special education law. The duty to evaluate is based on a known or suspected disability that may significantly impact access to learning. Data from evaluation then determines eligibility. Read More
A Brief Overview Respite offers a short-term break for caregivers and those they support. This article provides information and resources to get started seeking respite services. Lifespan Respite Washington, a program of PAVE, provides vouchers with up to $1,000 per qualifying household, to fund respite care. Pathways to Respite, an online booklet published by several Read More
A Brief Overview Understanding trauma and providing consistent skill building in Social Emotional Learning (SEL) can improve outcomes in education and elsewhere. Washington’s Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction provides free SEL training materials for educators and families on its website: k12.wa.us. Trauma-informed adults can use specific strategies to help children understand their emotions, describe Read More