Governor's Committee on Disability Issues & Employment projects

Members:

• Amy Cloud - Chair
• Patti Dailey-Shives - Vice Chair
• Dave Carl
• Marsha Cutting
• Kristin DiBiase
• Lucas Doelman
• Clarence Eskridge
• Steve Lewis
• Kristina Sawyckyj
• Angie West

Priority bills:

SHB 1069 - Adopting the mental health counselor compact.

SHB1106 - Concerning qualifications for unemployment insurance when an individual voluntarily leaves work.

SHB 1109 - Providing funding for school districts for special education.

2SHB 1134 - Implementing the 988 behavioral health crisis response and suicide prevention system.

SHB 1222 - Requiring coverage for hearing instruments.

2SHB 1305 - Improving access to and provision of a free appropriate public education for students with disabilities.

HB 1479 - Concerning restraint or isolation of students in public schools and educational programs.

SSB 5300 - Concerning continuity of coverage for prescription drugs prescribed for the treatment of behavioral health conditions.

What we do:

• promoting the establishment of County ACACs throughout Washington State;
• assisting counties with the actions required to establish an ACAC, and reviewing/approving the documentation presented by counties in that regard;
• providing technical assistance to county ACACs in respect of accessibility matters;
• supplying ideas and examples for projects that will improve accessibility for people with disabilities;
• reviewing and approving funding from the Accessible Communities Account for accessibility project proposals presented by county ACACs.

More information:

• AC Operations Manual (standard print version - large print version)
• Assurance Letter for Counties Sample (Instructions) 
• Fillable Project Proposal Form for Counties:
  • ACAC Project Plan Form A (Instructions)
  • ACAC Budget Narrative Form B (Instructions)
  • ACAC Milestone Chart Form C (Instructions) 

Criteria for ACAC Project Funding

Proposed projects should focus on improving access for people with disabilities, as well as promoting awareness, inclusion, or acceptance of people with disabilities within the local community.

Proposals should address the following:

• What is the county proposing to do?
• Why did the county select this proposal?
• What is the timeline for this project?
• What outcomes or performance measures does the county hope to achieve?
• What is the proposed budget for the project, how does the county propose to apply the funds it is requesting, and why is each proposed expenditure necessary for the project?
• Matching funds are not required for these projects; however, if a project is expected to generate a local match, including in-kind contributions such as volunteer hours, the nature and value of any such local match should be described in the proposal.

The Governor’s Employer Award’s Nomination Process is live!

The GCDE is proud to present the new Toby Olson Lifetime Impact Award, honoring an individual who embodies the qualities and characteristics of the late Toby Olson, and has made a lifetime commitment to addressing the inequities those with disabilities face in their community and at the state and national levels and can demonstrate specific, direct actions dramatically changing the lives of those in the disability community!

GCDE is implementing a two-step process for this Award.  The first step is a Letter of Intent prepared by the nominator and an Endorsement Letter prepared by a current, former or emeritus GCDE Member.  GCDE will review the information provided in the first step to determine if the nomination should proceed.  The nominator will be advised by telephone or by email whether the submission will be approved to move forward.  Following approval, the second step requires completion of an official nomination packet and supporting material which will then be reviewed by the Judging Panel.  A link to the official Toby Olson Nomination will be included in the GCDE approval letter.

Use the forms below to complete Step 1 of the process:

Letter of Intent (to be submitted by the Nominator)

Letter of Endorsement (to be submitted by a Current, Former, or Emeritus GCDE Member).

The first public Town Hall Forum last year was held virtually for the Colville community in the spring of 2022. The report about the meeting is now available to read here!

Our last 2022 event was in Port Orchard in early December. Report now available! 

What we discuss:

• Transportation

• Guardianship

• Community access

• Affordable housing

• Educational services

• Employment

• Local resources

• And more

About YLF:

WHO? Students 16 years of age ­­­­prior to the start of YLF and under the age of 22.

WHAT? The Washington State Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) is an innovative, intensive, six-day leadership training program for upcoming high school juniors and seniors with disabilities. Delegates are selected from around the state of Washington to cultivate leadership, and citizenship skills while having fun and making friends.

WHY? It is critical that young people with disabilities growing into adulthood learn to identify themselves with pride as individuals and members of the very accomplished disability community. 

COST?  The YLF is free to attend.
These services are made possible by the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.