The Informer - March 2025

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, a time to recognize and uplift individuals with disabilities and the importance of inclusion in all aspects of life. Developmental disabilities, such as autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and intellectual disabilities, affect a person’s development and can impact daily living, learning, and communication in different ways.

This month, we honor the advocacy groups, self-advocates, families, and our state lawmakers working to improve access to essential services, supports, and opportunities. Their dedication has led to meaningful progress, but we also acknowledge the work that still needs to be done. Barriers to education, employment, healthcare, community inclusion, and the potential cuts to Medicaid remain, and continued advocacy is essential to ensure that all individuals with disabilities can live self-determined, fulfilling lives.

We remain committed to supporting families, individuals, and professionals through education, advocacy, and community connection. This month’s newsletter includes opportunities to learn, engage, and take action from upcoming events to ways you can join in advocating for lasting change.

Together, we push forward, because inclusion and accessibility benefit us all.

• The PEACE NW Team

PEACE NW Events

Person Centered Planning 101 - What is it and How can it help? - Presented by Emily Harris

Wednesday March 12th 5:30-7:30pm - Online

Register here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/8ef68na

Person Centered Planning as a Roadmap for:

• Individualized Support
• Empowering Choices
• Goal-Oriented Planning
• Strengths-Based Approach
• Inclusive Decision Making
• Self-Advocacy
• Community Integration

Questions? Call Tanya English at 360-823-2247 info@peacenw.org

Transition to Adulthood Training Series for Families and Educators. 

Topic: Guardianship, ABLE, & Supported Decision Making

Tuesday, March 18th, 2025

5:00 PM 7:00 PM - Bridgeview Resource Center.

This session is designed to help give families and educators the most current information available about guardianship, trusts and new information about ABLE Accounts. Attend this session to get information about important considerations to make when thinking about and planning for a safe and happy future for the whole family. 

• ASL and Spanish interpreters are available at all sessions in this series. To request other accommodations, please do so in registration or reach out to Beth Mckenney,beth@gowise.org, with requests and further questions.

To Register and learn more about this event Click here

Lunch and Learn with PEACE NW

Tuesdays 12:00pm

Professionals and families are invited to bring their lunch and engage in informative discussions on supporting individuals with I/DD throughout their entire lives.



March Topics:

• March 11th - Focusing on Families with Clark County Public Health
• March 18th - Northwest Down Syndrome Association - NWDSA
• March 25th - Legislative Budget Review

To Register for this event Click here

Cafe con PEACE NW - In person

Thursdays 10:00am -11:30am Starting February 12th

Group in Spanish for families who live the experience of having a child or family member with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.

Meet other families, form a community, learn and share resources and ways to advocate for your loved one.



Registration is Required prior to attending to Register Click here

Coffee Chat - with Parent to Parent Coordinator Filiberto Ontiveros.

March 28th, 2025 11:00am-12:00pm

Goldendale Library, Caplan Room. 131 W Burgen St. Goldendale, WA 98620

Questions? E-mail Theresav@peacenw.org call/text 360-513-6682

Building Independence

Supporting individuals 18 and Over to Build the Life of Their Dreams Every Thursday 6:00pm -8:00pm

• Empowerment Sessions: Engage in discussions and activities to boost self-esteem and confidence.
• Goal Setting Workshops: Learn effective strategies for setting and achieving your life goals.
• Life Skills Development: Acquire practical skills for personal and professional growth.
• Guest Speakers: Gain insights from experts who have overcome challenges to build the life of their dreams.
• Make Friends: Connect with like-minded individuals, make friends, and build a supportive community.

Sessions online and some in person for more information Contact: Erin Maher. Phone: (360)609-8377 Email: erinm@peacenw.org

To register go to http://tinyurl.com/bdzc5f4w

Together We Thrive - Birth to Five

1st and 3rd Mondays as well as the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays

From 10:00am -11:30am at Bridgeview Resource Center

• March 12
• March 17
• March 26

A place for families of Children with different developmental needs to set routines, build community and get useful resources in a calm and relaxed environment.

Registration is required by visiting the following link: https://forms.office.com/r/XpDMB1wAvau

Embark on an Epic Adventure – Join Our Virtual D&D Club! - Every Wednesday 5:00pm -6:00pm

A welcoming space for teens and adults of all abilities.

Unleash your imagination and dive into a world of storytelling, strategy, and adventure! Led by Heather, a passionate parent volunteer. Whether you're a seasoned adventurer or new to the game, you'll build friendships, embrace creativity, and enjoy the thrill of cooperative storytelling.

🎲 What You Need: A way to roll dice (physical or an app like DnDBeyond)

Register now and prepare for a journey of teamwork, imagination, and unforgettable quests!

🔗 Sign up here: https://bit.ly/4hu4yKz

📞 Questions? Contact us at 360-823-2247 or Info@peacenw.org

Coming Soon

Join us for a free interactive care mapping session!

Wednesday, April 16 11am to 1pm

Bridgeview Resource Center 505 Omaha Way, Vancouver

• Free! • Lunch will be provided. • Children welcome!

Create a tool to help you share your child’s health journey and advocate for your family’s needs and the best health outcomes for your child. Care mapping is a family-driven, person-centered process that highlights a family’s strength. Care maps can be used when working with care professionals to communicate the big picture and small details of the resources needed to support your child.  

This event is hosted by Clark County Public Health’s Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs program and PEACE NW.

Questions? Tanya English, Clark County Parent Coalition Coordinator, PEACE NW Call: 360.823.2247 Text: 360.487.0776 tanyae@peacenw.org

To Register: Click here  

Consultations with Dr. David Pitonyak

Tuesday April 15th 2025 In-person and online appointments

Option 1: Free in-person or virtual Consultations with Families and Individuals

“Dr. Pitonyak provides workshops and seminars on a variety of topics, including supporting people with difficult behaviors and supporting the needs of a person’s friends, family, and caregivers.

To Schedule Your consultation email tanyae@peacenw.org

Option 2: Virtual Lunch and Learn with Dr. David Pitonyak

Zoom in during a special 1 hour Lunch and Learn event from 12:00pm -1:00pm

To Register for this event Click here

BUILDING INDEPENDENCE-So You Want to Date?

Online Dating Series ~ April 10 - May 22 6:00pm - 8:00



Online Dating Series for adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), designed to foster independence and build confidence for forming meaningful connections.

To register for Online Dating Series: Click https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/kgk325w . For more information about our Zoom dating series, please contact: Erin Maher Phone: (360) 609-8377 Email: Erinm@peacenw.org

Lawyer Corner

ABLE Account News

By Eva M. Luchini, JD, Law office of Eva M. Luchini, PLLC

Here’s the latest on ABLE accounts, my friends! 

If you have a 529 account for your child with disabilities, you have until year end to roll it over into an ABLE account. The rollover must be complete before January 1, 2026. The money still grows tax free, and it can still be used for college but in the ABLE account it can be used for a lot more. -- Read more

Additional News and Resources

Powerful Tools for Caregivers

📅 March 6 – April 11 | 6:00-8:00 PM (Thursdays) | Online/Virtual

A six-week online series for parents and caregivers of children with developmental, behavioral, or complex healthcare needs. Connect with others and develop tools to better support your loved ones and yourself.

Supporting Communication & Building Relationships with Your Neurodivergent Learner (For Educators)

📅 March 10 | 2:30-4:00 PM | Online/Virtual

📅 March 10 | 6:00-7:30 PM | Online/Virtual

Join Lauren Stewart, MA, Autism Regional Consultant, for the first workshop in a 5-part series on neurodivergence. Learn about multi-modal communication methods, relationship-building through play and special interests, and supporting learning styles in the classroom.

Your Child’s Plan for Special Education: IEP Basics

📅 March 11 | 6:00-7:30 PM | Online/Virtual

Join Katie Jackson, M.S. Ed, for an introduction to IFSPs, the IEP process, how to participate in school meetings, and advocate for your child.

Your Child’s Plan for Special Education: IEP or 504 Plan

📅 April 1 | 6:00-7:30 PM | Online/Virtual

Learn the differences between an IEP and a 504 Plan and how to navigate the process to support your child’s education.

For More information and to register visit: https://www.providence.org/locations/or/childrens-health/swindells-resource-center#tabcontent-3-pane-2

Transition to Kindergarten - FACT Oregon

Tuesday, March 11, 2025 | 6:00 - 8:00 pm | Zoom

Get Ready for Kindergarten! For Families of Young Children with Disabilities… Kindergarten is a big change! Understand what’s coming next as your child transitions from an IFSP to an IEP. You’ll learn what happens when your child moves from an IFSP to an IEP, how special education works in kindergarten.how you can help with your child’s education, and tips for getting ready for the transition meeting.

Register: English session | Spanish session

Learn More | Download Flyers

Understanding Special Education: (On-Demand)

Guide to Kindergarten Transition (Douglas ESD): English | Spanish

2025 Sensory Friendly Easter Egg Hunts

Egg Hunt in a welcoming environment where every person can participate and have a memorable time, regardless of their sensory preferences. For more info visit: Support Sensory Friendly Egg Hunts 2025 | PledgeIt for Charities

Youth Activities Towards Resiliency (ATR) Program supports Clark County youth in grades 6–12 by funding activities that promote mental well-being, substance use prevention, and community connection. Eligible youth include low-income or at-risk students up to age 18 (or 21 if still in high school). Funding can help cover sports, art, music, camps, clubs, and more—but not ongoing support, medical expenses, or past costs. For more information, contact Cass Young at (360) 234-3450 or youth@clarkcountyatr.org.

Nominate a Youth for the Clark County Youth Achievement Awards!

Do you know a young person making a difference? The 25th annual Clark County Youth Achievement Awards are accepting nominations through March 17, 2025! This is a great opportunity to recognize youth for their efforts, strengths, and actions in one of 13 categories, including Leadership, Courage, Education, and Environmental Stewardship.

Nominating a youth is a powerful way to help them feel valued and connected to their community.

Learn more and submit your nomination at Clark County’s website. Let’s celebrate the amazing young people in our community!

Learn More About Apple Health Coverage!

Apple Health (Medicaid) offers free or low-cost coverage for individuals and families who qualify, including primary care, emergency visits, maternity services, pediatric care, dental, vision, prescriptions, and more. The Washington Health Care Authority provides resources on eligibility, benefits, and personal experiences from Apple Health clients.

There are also programs for workers with disabilities, Medicare savings, and non-citizens. Check out the Welcome to Washington Apple Health video and explore available resources:

🔹 First-Timers’ Guide

🔹 Coverage & Benefits Information

🔹 Stakeholder Training & Education

For details and updates, visit Apple Health Resources.

Waiver Videos: Supported Employment and Community Inclusion Services 

Do you want to work in your community or connect to your community? DDA Supported Employment and Community Inclusion services can help you achieve your work and community connection goals.

Supported Employment services will connect you with a job coach who will help you identify your career goals and the skills you need to find a job that best suits you, providing personalized support for your success.

Community Inclusion services will connect you with a consultant who will help identify your skills, preferences, and interests to enhance your participation in the community. The goal is to support your contributions and relationships with people.

Check out our YouTube for more videos on on other DDA Home and Community Based Waiver services.

Save the Date: 2025 Virtual Community Summit

Community Summit 2025: Uniting for Impact, Engaging for Change, a free, all-virtual event hosted by DSHS Developmental Disabilities Administration. This summit brings together self-advocates, families, and community partners to foster inclusion through keynote speakers, interactive sessions, a virtual resource fair, and networking opportunities.

📅 Date: June 4, 2025 | ⏰ Time: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

📌 Registration opens April 2025 – stay updated at www.communitysummit.ws or follow The Community Summit on Facebook.

For questions, contact Ron Bryan at Ronald.Bryan@dshs.wa.gov.

Join the Co-Design Group for Youth with Disabilities!

Help make schools more inclusive! Carrie Basas, a lawyer with a disability and education policy specialist, is gathering 8–10 Washington State students (ages 15–22) with disabilities to design two resources for students with disabilities. Participants will meet online five times between late March and late May 2025 and receive $100 per meeting (up to $500 total, via check or gift card).

📝 Apply by March 8 by filling out a form or sending a video/voice recording to carrie@codesignworks.com. If under 18, check with a parent or guardian first. Selections announced March 15.

For questions or accessibility support, contact carrie@codesignworks.com.

Looking for a fun, supportive way to focus on your health and fitness? A new parent workout group is here! This class offers a welcoming space for parents to build strength, improve endurance, and take time for themselves.

📍 Location: Specialty Athletic Training – Vancouver

💰 Cost: $15 per class

Specialized Habilitation Now Available Through DDA!

Specialty Athletics is excited to offer 1:1 personal training for Washington clients through their new Specialized Habilitation contract with DDA! If you receive DDA services, you can now train with us at no out-of-pocket cost.

✅ How to Get Started:

1️⃣ Let your Case Manager know you want to use Specialty Athletic Training for Specialized Habilitation/Life Skills Services.

2️⃣ Your Case Manager will submit for prior approval.

3️⃣ Once approved, Specialty Athletics will help you set goals and create a personalized training program!

Specialty Athletics Training is proud to make fitness more accessible for the disability community in Washington! 💪🧡 Contact them today to learn more!

Come move, connect, and prioritize your well-being! Text 503.863.0512 to sign up!

Featured library events 

March 8 @ Cascade Park Irish Dancers

March 10 @ Goldendale Kids & Families Yoga

March 12 @ Stevenson Bigleaf Maple Sugaring

March 14 @ White Salmon Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories

March 14 @ Battle Ground Introduction to Ancestry Library

March 29 @ Woodland Plant & Seed Swap

March 30 @ Vancouver Science Circus w/Rhys Thomas

Take Action!

Medicaid Matters: Stay Informed and Take Action

The Medicaid Matters Campaign, led by the Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council, The Arc of Washington State, and Self Advocates in Leadership (SAIL), provides important resources to help individuals understand and advocate for their Medicaid services. Their informational videos explain what Medicaid is, who it serves, and why it’s essential. They also offer support for those who want to share their story or connect with elected officials to make their voices heard. To learn more, watch the videos, or find ways to take action, visit Medicaid Information and Resources.

Advocacy Days: Make Your Voice Heard!

The 2025 Legislative Session is underway, and with a projected budget shortfall, it's critical to advocate for essential services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Advocacy Days offer a chance to learn about key issues and take action. Sessions are held weekly on Wednesdays from 10:00–11:30 AM, with live rallies also planned.

Get involved by connecting with legislators, using advocacy tools, and staying informed through The Arc of Washington’s Action Network. Learn more and register for Advocacy Days here: arcwa.org/advocacy/advocacy-days