In 2024, the Family Advisory Council was formed as a counterpart to the Self-Advocates Advisory Council. The FAC represents the perspectives and experiences of families navigating DDA services. The advocacy efforts of families in Washington state have been vital to the work of our administration from the start. The FAC challenges us to continuously enhance our services and change policies, rules, procedures, and communication methods. Council members collaborate with our staff who present their work for feedback. The group holds virtual monthly meetings where they give insights based on their own families’ lived experiences and those of their friends and community members.
Meeting Minutes
Regional Advisory Councils
Format: Regional Advisory Councils will occur quarterly. RAC meetings are open to the IDD community. The three-hour quarterly meetings will be virtual but will accommodate hybrid options if there are counties or locations who would like to host an in-person event for the meeting. Participation or attendance by the public at the Regional Advisory Council is welcomed.
Regional Advisory Council Members: Regional Advisory Councils will be comprised of representatives from the diversity of communities, counties and locations that make up each region and will have representation exclusively from family members and self-advocates. Advisory Council members will serve 3-year terms and may serve two three-year terms before they must take a hiatus from service for at least one term. Terms will be staggered to ensure a cohesive and effective council.
Regional Advisory Council Member Responsibilities
- Encourage and support robust community participation
- Identify barriers prior to the meeting work with region to address
- Assist counties with outreach to underrepresented communities
- Attend all regional councils
- Gather information from local area/community about any concerns questions for regional staff prior to the Regional Advisory Council meetings.
- Attend Regional Advisory Council planning meetings outside of quarterly Regional Advisory Council meetings.
- One member of the Regional Council will represent the regional council on the statewide Family Advisory Council.
- Participate in hiring and/or oversight panels as requested by the region.
Compensation: RAC committee members are eligible for compensation following the guidelines established by the state’s community compensation guidelines. Attendance at the Regional Advisory Councils by interested community members who are not appointed Regional Advisory Council members will not be eligible for compensation.
Regional Advisory Council Recruitment/Selection Announcements for RAC member recruitment will be sent out via GovDelivery as well as being posted by community organizations. Interested community members will fill out an application which will be reviewed by a panel of regional staff, and RAC committee members. The appointment of council members will be made based on the recommendations of the above-mentioned panel.
Regional Advisory Council Standing Agenda
Regional Follow Up- DDA regional response to questions/concerns/barriers raised by the community at previous meeting, through their Regional Advisory Council member, and/or direct communication between community members and DDA staff.
Regional- Changes/process being considered – Regional DDA staff gathering feedback on changes being considered and/or implemented (directives to staff, new processes, teams, positions, etc.)
HQ/Regional: Provider Recruitment– Issues/barriers related to provider recruitment identified by the region- suggestions from the community – and notification of any new service providers or areas of coverage
HQ- Community input- Collaboration questions or updates
Community Concerns/Comments- Community members or advisory council members sharing any identified barriers to services or concerns with regional staff (process, regional staff, etc.) – collaborate to identify patterns and clarify any asks of the region (Questions raised will drive the agenda for the next meeting)