New waiver helps clients receiving DDA services while living with family get needed supports

Release Date: 
Dec 01 2016
DSHS Office of Communications
Kelly Stowe
kelly.stowe@dshs.wa.gov
(360) 902-7739

OLYMPIAThe Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is looking to help more than 3,000 individuals who receive services through its Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) through the Individual and Family Services (IFS) waiver.

The IFS waiver partners with individuals and families to support DDA-eligible clients living in the family home. It provides a choice of supports for those individuals and their families and people more control over the resources allocated to them.

“This waiver can benefit individuals in many different ways including making possible a range of experiences which can help individuals who receive DDA benefits participate in physical and social activities within the communities that they live. It also offers supports to help the individual and their family members such as respite care,” explained DDA Assistant Secretary, Evelyn Perez.

So far, 2,800 individuals have signed up for the waiver which became available in June 2015. The IFS waiver has the capacity to serve a total of 6,500 people who meet the requirements of being a DDA client living with family and be at least three years of age.

For information on DSHS services for people who have a developmental or intellectual disabilities, visit the DDA website. To learn more about the IFS Waiver or request information on enrolling, visit the IFS Waiver webpage.

 

DSHS does not discriminate and provides equal access to its programs and services for all persons without regard to race, color, gender, religion, creed, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, age, veteran’s status or the presence of any physical, sensory or mental disability.