Washington State Parent and Family 2026 Legislative Priorities
Washington Statewide Parent Coalitions collectively agree to prioritize and support families and individuals with IDD to share their needs for access and inclusion in the following legislative areas of concern:
- No cuts to Medicaid: Cuts cause crisis! Crisis is expensive. Protect funding for Medicaid and IDD waiver programs and services and rural health networks. Cost savings need to be reallocated in DDCS community supports. Increase Medicaid reimbursement rates to maintain provider networks.
- Increase access to Behavioral Health for individuals with IDD: Individuals with co-occurring developmental/intellectual and behavioral health diagnoses deserve access to professional medical and behavioral health services and supports across the lifespan.
- Address Provider Shortage: Individuals with IDD and their families need dependable, well-trained, well-paid, and culturally-competent providers in all areas of service.
- Support Community Choice: Individuals with IDD have a right to fully access their community each day with appropriate support. Individuals with high support needs should not be excluded from participating in activities, work, or play because of unmet personal care or behavioral support needs. All people with IDD, both children and adults, deserve to have meaningful, engaging, and flexible opportunities to spend time with disabled and non-disabled peers of their choosing.
- Increase Housing Options: Individuals with IDD and their families, and those living in DDCS residential habilitation centers need affordable and accessible housing with appropriate support. Adults with IDD who still reside with aging parent caregivers should be prioritized for DDA community residential services.
- End Isolation and Reduce Restraints in Special Education: Individuals with IDD have a right to physical and emotional safety in schools. More work must be done to eliminate restraint and isolation in public education.
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