[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6364090,"mediaKeyId","2165376-e4a2a271d1056e188398d4d1cc10eb48","parentId",2165376,"title","Debate over contracting and scope of community inclusion services divides families and counties","audioSeconds",1517,"startMs",974000,"endMs",2491000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165376-e4a2a271d1056e188398d4d1cc10eb48&start=974&end=2491","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165376-e4a2a271d1056e188398d4d1cc10eb48/thumbnail_974000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6364090/Washington/Debate-over-contracting-and-scope-of-community-inclusion-services-divides-families-and-counties","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6364090-3cc27e9e0d941e333e98f732c1add843/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162723&Signature=O~wvqmFZTUKnySeiUELGPE-aFkxoDvskTIlsS64jr-BvBQOpMR-PEwIlCihnUjhBVNZVF2PxeIi5WeSleuZYymRZ5V43zIK6tanbvpt0Me7p5NQ-c4OTbsxqHc~NpGWVedi5daTgyOKGByR7LNn7Z7NAsi7WuAyz3ZTJ1wSxhggua81ocIHlFFx21mvsdqGgV3mdxXdDSExTa4ezwSUHqwLtxM6tUhMhWtOH9hm0H6SnRAsYdkl2528KFjYh4U9dRva4FwQNnU5exSel7BWUPZ~1N-bJRZQ~UW8tvCDVRazMbG0-0MF-PnkAF~w2X5aBSytznpaaRGUBFu7OrrEyVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","House Early Learning & Human Services","date","2025-01-29T00:00:00Z","article","Representative Tanya Levitt (sponsor) told the committee House Bill 1158 responds to long-standing family requests for more meaningful, reliable community-based day services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

\"House Bill 1158 comes to us from many families in Pierce County and beyond who have been asking for decades for services for their family members,\" Representative Levitt said, describing the bill as an effort to expand access to community-based activities beyond current options.

Committee staff explained community inclusion currently is contracted by the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) through counties, and that the service is individualized and intended to promote skill development, independent living and community integration. Under the bill, DDA would be required to contract directly with service providers and establish service standards; incidental personal care would be allowed and provider-client ratios would not be limited to one-to-one.

Supporters, including family members and local Arc chapters, said the bill would broaden the provider base and increase options for people who have lacked access to meaningful activities. Rose Yu, a guardian and parent from Seattle, described a son who receives only five hours a week of one-on-one coaching: \"He averages 5 hours a week with 1 on 1 coaching... 5 hours a week is only 5% of his awake hours in a typical week.\" Several family members described long waits, loss of services after moving counties and near-impossible hiring and retention for providers.

Opponents, including the Washington State Association of Counties and The Arc of Washington State, said the bill risks dismantling long-standing county-managed, person-centered systems. Brad Banks, representing counties, said DDA lacks the existing statewide structure for provider oversight and quality control the counties deliver locally. \"As currently written, this proposal just shifts focus away from individualized person centered care,\" he testified.

Other critics worried the bill could reduce funds that support family navigation and local services, including funds tied to the federal match. Stacy Dim of The Arc of Washington State said she had \"very significant concerns about HB1158\" and urged a more comprehensive, funded approach that removes barriers to existing services, such as the nine-month employment-services rule.

No committee vote occurred in the hearing. Lawmakers and witnesses signaled willingness to continue negotiations; sponsors said they are not wedded to final contracting language but want to expand access for families who report limited options.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Early Learning & Human Services - 1/29/2025 1:30 PM","oneSentenceSummary","Representative Tanya Levitt said House Bill 1158 was drafted in response to decades of requests from families for more and better day habilitation and community activities.","taxTitle","Human Services, Youth, & Early Learning, House of Representatives, Legislative Sessions, Washington","taxId",20264,"location","Washington","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6364093,"Committee hears bill to prioritize certain groups for developmental-disability waivers",889,81000,970000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165376-e4a2a271d1056e188398d4d1cc10eb48&start=81&end=970","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165376-e4a2a271d1056e188398d4d1cc10eb48/thumbnail_81000.jpg","/articles/6364093/Washington/Committee-hears-bill-to-prioritize-certain-groups-for-developmental-disability-waivers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6364093-0f7db4c6f3532ac51c2147fdbbb17f40/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162723&Signature=EldwsnCD96ZkuDjYu9w7uVz70qw1dBB8oRj54RScYJDJznulLeaa4hcDf9VEqxzwgeHspxE6G9aCmJMH3u0h4PqqL7Y4qMaQK6jLVvzkSDKfJMUc2QBfe3ZocvfpS3AicHiHzBkrFlD-sHzgH5gBAIo97iagTNztVUF75PXpDYU~GS5OhU93ez7R5EqbDLc~Bo9hlXON5dfzp4ZWu4Usguh5YrTOaNXNqiMCVmKZMt2bcpQQAEXCKoO7r4F0H4Mr8ill34UMKVeHPvopkJOi4dOUhFrQdbdvQZhYarab2pYkMXV2Z5A-njPvDq48NmTU7sOW4bg-DnSzGSIkUzoe0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Daria Farvar, sponsor of House Bill 1130, told the Human Services, Youth & Early Learning Committee the bill would place an explicit statutory prioritization on who may be enrolled from open developmental-disability waiver slots.

The bill’s principal aim is to direct the Developmental Disabilities Administration to prioritize enrollment for specific groups, said Representative Daria Farvar, state representative from the 46th Legislative District: \"Pleased to bring you house bill 1130.\" The staff briefing provided earlier in the hearing stated Washington has roughly 27,000 potential waiver slots and that just under 1,700 were not filled in recent data.

Supporters said the statutory prioritization would direct scarce resources to people at elevated risk of institutionalization or crisis. Stacy Dim, executive director of The Arc of Washington State and a family member, said: \"It's a pretty simple, easy bill to understand,\" and highlighted two additions the bill would clarify: members of the Trueblood class who also have developmental disabilities and people age 45 and older whom advocates call \"senior families.\" Advocates argued prioritizing older adults matters because families who currently provide care are themselves aging and may soon be unable to continue.

Opposition from at least one witness focused on timing and emphasis. Linda Hyatt, who said she worked at DDA for years and filed written testimony, said the categories in the bill \"already are in practice\" and that lawmakers should focus on earlier intervention for children rather than creating statutory prioritization that, in her view, risks reinforcing a reactive, crisis-driven system.

Self-advocate and policy coordinators also testified in favor. Sean Lehi, policy coordinator for Self Advocates in Leadership, said he is 45 and relies on waivers and asked the committee to pass the bill so older adults do not end up \"in costly restrictive congregate settings.\" Noah Seidel of the Office of Developmental and Disability Ombuds said the bill's data-collection provisions are important to understand which waivers are underused and to help people discharge from hospitals or institutions into the community.

No formal committee vote was recorded during the hearing. Testimony largely focused on the bill’s intent to better target limited waiver capacity and on whether statutory language is the right tool to improve early access to services for children.

The record shows the committee took testimony from multiple stakeholders and closed the hearing on House Bill 1130 without action; members may pursue amendments or further information before any vote.","A hearing on House Bill 1130 drew advocates and family members urging the Developmental Disabilities Administration to prioritize open home-and-community-based waiver slots for older adults, people exiting institutions or hospitals, foster-care alumni and others; no formal action was taken.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6364075,"Parents of medically complex minors seek right to be paid caregivers under proposed waiver change",2462,4732000,7194000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165376-e4a2a271d1056e188398d4d1cc10eb48&start=4732&end=7194","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165376-e4a2a271d1056e188398d4d1cc10eb48/thumbnail_4732000.jpg","/articles/6364075/Washington/Parents-of-medically-complex-minors-seek-right-to-be-paid-caregivers-under-proposed-waiver-change","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6364075-705ed6dd5789688cf716bdb0699c8adf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162723&Signature=UDJNMALHngXQJxB8sHQvK4Fw0drvMhwbcXu3pNaUwAyAhl89qQTS5UGj3c4todmterogTRSQk3aEue3QsR69Sytyw7M64A41IwnwWciWeV7yo1VedILtf-ih2F6LnfsVpeGa4WGdFMdxrfqSEmXcgrdtYovnVnxdmFr0oAaWpN7wq3Fj13ycYPfwbQwS9MpnMs7nsuXa98JQ4MCa6VPUPioVRU3vLTlnccBU~TM4CIA4Nyp-Hfekih2-GFNXOx4ncBvTR6fZCZfAV52cUm4anFqw1HO0BgPgb07QuLIUULWWSS2xoVlgbdGg-AVXBarSyqOMZWC2s3j4pWgb73H5nA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Jamila Taylor introduced House Bill 1200, which would direct the Developmental Disabilities Administration to seek federal Medicaid approval to allow parents of minors with extraordinary, assessed care needs to be paid as caregivers under waiver rules.

\"This is not the typical, just feed and clothe your children,\" Representative Jamila Taylor said, urging the committee to recognize that some parents provide extraordinary personal care that exceeds ordinary parenting duties and that the workforce shortage has left families without alternatives.

Committee staff explained federal Medicaid rules generally bar payment to legally responsible individuals but allow states to request waivers in narrowly defined circumstances; HB 1200 directs DDA to submit a waiver amendment by Jan. 31, 2026, and defines \"extraordinary care\" initially by CARE assessment categories (E or B high) with a phase-in through 2031.

Parents, clinicians and providers gave extended testimony about the scale of unmet in-home hours, caregiver shortages and the financial and emotional toll on families. Jessica Morrow, a parent from Lake Stevens, described a son born at 25 weeks with cerebral palsy and autism who requires 24/7 care; she said institutional placement out of state had been suggested to her family and that in-home paid parental caregiving would avert that outcome. \"If I could be employed as the caregiver it would allow us to move off of other state supports,\" she said.

Nurses and providers said parental caregivers have clinical competence in many medically complex cases and that reimbursing parents can reduce reliance on institutional care and stabilize families. Michelle Hagerstrom, a nurse manager, said the bill would \"provide the financial relief they need and enable them to maintain their own health and well-being, ensuring that they can continue to care for their child.\" Providers also cautioned that the policy should be implemented with safeguards and adequate program administration.

No committee vote was taken. Witnesses urged quick action, saying the change would not expand the total authorized hours but would expand the available workforce and allow families to use hours they now cannot access because no outside caregiver is available.","House Bill 1200 would require DDA to seek a Medicaid waiver amendment allowing parents to be paid for extraordinary care of minor children; parents, nurses and providers testified about caregiver shortages and financial strain, and supporters said the change could keep children at home and reduce high institutional costs.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":79,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6364080,"Lawmakers consider removing statutory reference to Community Protection Program amid complaints it traps participants",3586000,4475000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165376-e4a2a271d1056e188398d4d1cc10eb48&start=3586&end=4475","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165376-e4a2a271d1056e188398d4d1cc10eb48/thumbnail_3586000.jpg","/articles/6364080/Washington/Lawmakers-consider-removing-statutory-reference-to-Community-Protection-Program-amid-complaints-it-traps-participants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6364080-cb5741f87f5349113a6e80b4e690f396/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162723&Signature=ZxX3nBreojqBfpeT14PbXzQoG~uvtvVBFIF5NVeqwF1N3DAky7P0bSB6iUx5y8RKS6E3zEOL7jfl9DEPPVTtbsKaAv-IczzUJiArA9TIeQwgQAqcvIr7DTxFR65r18cqxpf4vLLaEyi17XOyDgZZsQh5UuDuK1tjJfTUna08ps~~2bSWqT4oSZ03GMlJFjtayE-Su9NkQOw0ssFlYrjAqJi7X8POAz8BcvlZ2W~i8Vuke2NxyzwKuyRy64XYkmcD-WA041c333hJasPttzo6ZkDfGO2kkgOMMCy8nIr9kTHICs0sgQWWtuOpyAuz027NLK6aUC-oIaKgK1KmS0MwfQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Roger Goodman presented House Bill 1390, a Department of Social and Health Services request bill that would remove the Community Protection Program (CPP) from statute and allow DDA to restructure services for participants.

\"I was a little hesitant to sponsor this bill when I saw we're repealing the community protection program,\" Representative Roger Goodman said, explaining the proposal is an agency-request bill intended to modernize and remove statutory language governing a waiver program created to serve adults who, under certain findings, were considered a risk to others. Goodman said the program has become coercive in practice and cited a prior ombuds report documenting a low graduation rate.

Deputy Assistant Secretary Chris Peterson described DDA’s view that removing CPP from statute would allow modernization and more person-centered services while continuing to ensure safety. DDA reported there were approximately 324 individuals in the program, down from 408 in 2023, and said the agency has worked with the DD Ombuds and CMS on reforms.

Supporters included self-advocates and the Office of Developmental and Disability Ombuds. Noah Seidel of the DD Ombuds referred to the 2021 report \"No Way Out\" and listed problems: early referrals before other services are tried, requirements to comply with strict program conditions, unclear path back to less-restrictive services and documented departures from policies protecting participants' rights.

Family witnesses described coercive processes and burdensome risk-assessment procedures; one witness said CPP threatened families with a contract release or loss of benefits, and argued CPP uses intrusive surveillance and restrictive conditions. Public defenders supported the bill’s intent but urged lawmakers to ensure the underlying services that enabled community supports remain available even if statutory language is removed.

No committee vote was recorded. Supporters and DDA said the bill is intended to replace a statutory construct with administrative changes that better support person-centered care while maintaining safety and access to needed services.","House Bill 1390 would repeal statutory language referencing the Community Protection Program (CPP), a DDA waiver for people judged to pose risk to others; supporters including the DD Ombuds and family members said the program has been coercive with low graduation rates, while DDA and defenders emphasized continuity of services must remain.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6364085,"Bill would let families use underused waiver dollars to buy more respite care, backers say",504,2630000,3134000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165376-e4a2a271d1056e188398d4d1cc10eb48&start=2630&end=3134","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165376-e4a2a271d1056e188398d4d1cc10eb48/thumbnail_2630000.jpg","/articles/6364085/Washington/Bill-would-let-families-use-underused-waiver-dollars-to-buy-more-respite-care-backers-say","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6364085-2b13a96fc289c50314e7532d1f03fd82/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162723&Signature=lzzJq-9M~uPNTZ-ebMF6Q4fMO6p~FHzI-vTbSANyv3HnoQ25kY6kUJL6Fk8t8Rj8~kdbJXz1JDP-HKnjMZnjRTtjSmqBW9phYm98rOdNpCEs-DLF7OvXM5XiRrakYtRH1KQj7QZ04-Hld5IObXsPwKfT6iqJOzkiBX2maTs3ln92IcgxYuUAtji0k4buvPzd9bZmERF1iDbqzXnCwm2VlxAA3JHOkeX9Iyz1RHTdsbvPlyp-stM0sTvOj3-AMuiVIJjD9vjynXohJS99QaCGFgi25DAQtrz2xFe7Lao7YgoeGcoEjtoW5GGROXvjo-qSOb2LrvGkLagmLtdJogxMYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Stephanie Barnard, sponsor of House Bill 1344, told the committee the bill directs the Developmental Disabilities Administration to submit a waiver amendment to allow respite care to be an eligible aggregate service under the Basic Plus and Children’s Intensive In-Home Behavioral Support (SIBS) waivers.

\"This bill provides options that open up flexibility for families to use aggregate dollars that go unused every single year,\" Representative Barnard said in testimony, describing respite added to the aggregate services menu as a practical way to increase available hours.

Committee staff explained that aggregate services are a dollar-limited menu of services clients may choose under those waivers and that adding respite to that menu would allow families to convert otherwise underused aggregate dollars into respite hours.

Supporters emphasized the immediate family need and a likely modest budget impact balanced by federal Medicaid match. Witness Jim Wellman, a parent advocate, provided utilization estimates: he testified that average spending on aggregate services is well under the annual $6,192 cap and that converting underused aggregate funds could add an average of roughly 160 additional respite hours per person per year; he estimated a first-year uptake affecting \"maybe 2 to 4,000 people,\" with an estimated gross cost of \"$10 to $20 million,\" roughly half of which would be federal match.

Family witnesses and The Arc of Washington State characterized the bill as a commonsense fix that eases access and reduces a burdensome prior-authorization process for aggregate services. Linda Hyatt noted families had previously requested that DDA add respite to aggregate services and described the bill as a practical, fiscally responsive approach.

No formal committee action was taken during the hearing. Proponents urged the committee to approve the technical change to allow families to convert underused aggregate funds to respite, while testifiers and staff asked for detail about implementation timing and how many families could realistically use the funds.","House Bill 1344 would allow respite care to be an eligible item under aggregate services in Basic Plus and SIBS waivers; supporters said it could increase respite hours by tapping underused funds, while opponents asked for clarity on implementation and protections.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Debate over contracting and scope of community inclusion services divides families and counties

Committee hears bill to prioritize certain groups for developmental-disability waivers

Parents of medically complex minors seek right to be paid caregivers under proposed waiver change

Lawmakers consider removing statutory reference to Community Protection Program amid complaints it traps participants

Bill would let families use underused waiver dollars to buy more respite care, backers say