Legislation will enhance county developmental disabilities community services

May 5, 2005

Legislation will enhance county developmental disabilities community services

People with developmental disabilities and their families, currently on wait lists, will be able to receive community services and assistance finding and keeping jobs, thanks to new legislation approved by the 2005 state Legislature. The bill, creating a community trust account, is named for Dan Thompson, advocate and champion of employment opportunities for people with developmental disabilities until his death earlier this year at the age of 36.

"Community services and supported employment are the keys to helping people with developmental disabilities live, work and thrive in their local communities," said King County Executive Ron Sims.

"It is so fitting that this legislation be dedicated to the memory of Dan Thompson, who, throughout his life, demonstrated the hope, determination and most of all, the capabilities of people with developmental disabilities - both in the work place and in our communities," added Sims. "King County thanks Rep. Hans Dunshee (44th District), the prime sponsor of this bill, and we also want to thank Sen. Joseph Zarelli (18th District), Rep. Jan Shabro (31st District), Rep. Fred Jarrett (41st District), and Sen. Margarita Prentice (11th District) for their support of this important legislation."

Substitute House Bill 1791 (SHB 1791) establishes a developmental disabilities community trust account that will generate funds to expand community services to individuals and families currently on wait lists. Deposits to the trust account will come from proceeds from the use of excess property at Lakeland Village and Rainer School as identified in a 2002 Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee capital study of the state's residential habilitation centers. Income may come from the lease of land, conservation easements, sale of timber or other activities from these two properties.

The creation of a trust account was a priority of disability advocates across the state who called for revenues generated from these developmental disabilities resources to be used to address the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families waiting for community-based services.

"Advocates for people with developmental disabilities understand and appreciate the importance of community services to better assist people to live within their communities. This trust account will create funding to work toward an important priority - inclusion," said Ulla Blichfeldt Fox, Chair, King County Board for Developmental Disabilities. "With adequate individualized employment supports in place, communities and businesses can tap into an enriching and energizing population - willing and able to participate".

Dan Thompson was a graduate of Lake Washington High School. Born with Down Syndrome and a congenital heart defect, he pursued life with extraordinary zeal, participating in the Special Olympics for many years and was a valued employee of Microsoft for 14 years. His parents, Lorin and Margaret-Lee Thompson are locally and nationally recognized advocates for people with developmental disabilities.

For more information on King County's services for adults and children with developmental disabilities please call Ray Jensen, Director, Developmental Disabilities Division, at 206-296-5268, or go to www.metrokc.gov/dchs/ddd.