Category: Family & Caregivers

Where to Start: Organizations That Parents and Caregivers can go to for Help and Support

When a new diagnosis is given or a new problem arises, many parents are at a loss for how to start helping their child. Thankfully, there are many organizations in Washington state that are ready to help families in a variety of different specializations. Here are some places to start.

For general parenting concerns, Parenting Trust for Washington Children provides education, advice, and resources for a variety of concerns. Parent Help 123 is able to help caregivers find benefits and services available to them and their families. They run a hotline at 1-800-322-2588. Families of Color Seattle (FOCS) connects families, caregivers, and children of color through peer-led parent support groups.

For families who have children are youth with special needs, the Arc of Washington advocates for the rights and full participation of all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Visit the Statewide Parent to Parent (P2P) website to see the local chapters of the Parent-to-Parent program.  The program matches families to those who have been in similar situations, to aid and support them in their journeys.  PAVE provides support, training, information, and resources to empower and give voice to individuals, youth, and families impacted by disabilities through several programs, including Person-Centered Planning, STOMP program for military families, and health information program.  Open Doors for Multicultural Families provides culturally and linguistically relevant information, services, and programming to culturally and linguistically diverse families of persons with developmental and intellectual disabilities. The Washington Autism Alliance (WAA) extends access to healthcare, education and services for people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD’s) and related intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in Washington State.

For families working to get their child a proper education, contact PAVE’s Parent Training and Information (PTI) program, which helps family caregivers, youth, and professionals with questions about services for children and young people with disabilities, especially those concerting special education.

For those with children and youth with behavioral health issues, including mental health and substance abuse problems, the Center Of Parent Excellence (COPE Project), run by A Common Voice, was developed to provide a pathway for Washington State parents who are accessing and navigating the system to have independent peer support to ease their journey. For fathers, Dads M.O.V.E. was created to strengthen the father’s role in raising children with behavioral health needs through education, peer support and advocacy.

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Opportunity for Families: Promoting Equitable Access to Language Services for Families of CYSHCN

Family Voices is recruiting 8 diverse multilingual people to participate in the project advisory committee (PAC) for our new project to Promote Equitable Access to Language Services (PEALS) for families of CYSHCN. The PAC will lead the project by identifying community needs, and reviewing and testing materials to be sure that they work well for English Language Learners.

The PEALS project will improve the quality and use of language access services in the healthcare setting for families with limited English proficiency.

Recruitment Criteria

Eligible participants will be:

  • Diverse youth or family members of CYSHCN with limited English proficiency (LEP) who speak more than one language, (Chinese, Arabic, Spanish etc.) or
  • Allied health workers or health care providers who speak more than one language, (Chinese, Arabic, Spanish etc.) or
  • Community health workers who speak more than one language (Chinese, Arabic, Spanish etc.)

Compensation

  • PAC members receive $300 for each meeting they participate in.

If you are interested in participating, please complete the application form by November 30, 2022.  

The goal of this project is to improve the quality and use of language access services in the health care setting for families with Limited English Proficiency. Family Voices and our partner at the American Academy of Pediatrics will work alongside families with lived experience to develop educational tools and strategies for families, community health workers, and health care providers to improve the way they use language access services.
If this project interests you, please complete the application below to be considered as a member of the Project Advisory Committee (PAC). This committee will help identify community needs and review and test materials to be sure that they work well for English Language Learners.
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Special Education Legal Clinic Registration

To schedule an appointment, go to Special Education Clinic Registration

Interpreter Services Available

The purpose of the clinic is to provide a 30-minute consultation (for those who qualify) with a special education attorney.

The clinic offers free, limited legal advice and referrals for special education issues. The clinic is not meant to be a comprehensive consultation, if you need a more in-depth meeting, please contact WAA for a full intake screening.

Special Education issues related to your student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) and/or 504 Plan including but not limited to:

  • Child Find
  • Qualifying for services
  • Accommodations and Modifications
  • Behavior supports
  • Discrimination
  • Discipline
  • Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying
  • Accessing interpretation services

Click here to register for a date on their calendar

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Enrollment Open for Spring 2022 Online Parent Leadership Training Institute – English and Spanish

The Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI) is a free, 12 week, 6 hours per week leadership course for parents, guardians, grandparents, community members and anyone working with families. The goal of the PLTI is to increase community engagement in civic matters, public education and youth development. It is held at Everett Community College in the spring and fall of every calendar year, but is currently offered only online during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The PLTI is led by credentialed facilitators who are certified by the National Parent Leadership Institute (NPLI) after completing intensive training. Facilitators are required to:

  • understand civics and the democratic process;
  • have knowledge about state and community policy issues;
  • embrace diversity;
  • understand the need for parent engagement in the community;
  • see parents/guardians/community members as community assets;
  • be inspiring!

They are accompanied by guest presenters such as business leaders, elected officials, service/health providers, school district officials and guided by a Civic Design Team formed by school and community leaders.

The Children’s Leadership Training Institute (CLTI), a free leadership course for children ages 6 – 12, is offered to the children of those enrolled in the PLTI.

PLTI Curriculum

The PLTI curriculum is an in-depth program centered on the belief that democracy is the bridge linking communities, families, diverse cultures and races. The curriculum is broken down into two sessions which paves a path to a greater understanding of our role in the community and the systems that are in place. It is a catalyst for self-reflection, awareness, analysis and transformation. We believe that everyone can be empowered to improve their lives and the lives of others.

Learn more and Sign Up Here!

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Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Benefits through Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

SSI is a monthly financial benefit from the Social Security Administration to people with limited income and resources, who are age 65 or older, blind, or disabled. Blind or disabled children, as well as adults, can get SSI. In most states, SSI determination is required for Medicaid eligibility of children with disabilities.

The Social Security Administration has a guide to the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. They state:

We pay disability benefits under two programs:

The Social Security disability insurance program pays benefits to you and certain family members if you worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes. (Your adult child also may qualify for benefits on your earnings record if he or she has a disability that started before age 22.)

The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program pays benefits to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources.”

Steps for applying for Supplemental Security Income

  1. Determine eligibility through SSA’s Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool (BEST) – an anonymous questionnaire for anyone seeking SSI
  2. If eligible, review what documents you will need in either SSI Child Disability Starter Kit (Spanish Version here) -or- Adult Disability Starter Kit (Spanish Version here)
  3. Apply Online for Disability Benefits -or- call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) -or- Call or visit your local Social Security office
  4. If denied coverage, you can appeal using a Disability Appeal or a Non-Medical Appeal

Outside Resources

How to Apply for SSI for Your Child: A 6-step article that walks you through the process of applying for SSI benefits.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for Children: What is it, who is it for, and how can Parents/Caregivers help?

Apple Health and Medicaid

Medicaid and Apple Health

Within Washington State, Medicaid is known as Apple Health.  Washington Apple Health applications are available year round. Visit the Health Plan Finder or call 1-855-923-4633 to enroll.

Eligibility for Apple Health for Children:

  • Free or low-cost coverage is available
  • Children of public employees with access to health insurance coverage under the PEBB or SEBB programs are not eligible for Apple Health for Kids with premiums
  • Low-cost coverage (Apple Health with premiums) is only available to children who are uninsured.
  • Income requirements for free coverage:

Eligibility for Apple Health for Adults:

  • Are age 19 through 64.
  • Have annual household income at or below the Medicaid standard (see income chart below).*
  • Are a U.S. citizen or meet Medicaid immigration requirements. (Washington residents from the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia)
  • Are not entitled to Medicare.

How to Apply for Medicaid

  1. Review adult and/or child income eligibility requirements.
  2. Read the Eligibility Overview to determine if Apple Health is the best fit for you and your family.
  3. Create an account on Washington Health Plan Finder.
  4. Collect and enter information into the Washington Health Plan Finder application, WAPlanfinder Mobile App, downloadable paper form, or call the Washington Healthplanfinder Customer Support Center at 1-855-923-4633.
  5. Review the five different Integrated Health Care Plans that are responsible for Medicaid in Washington, not all of which may be available in your location.
  6. If you need further help, contact a free Health Plan Navigator.

Navigating through Apple Health

Apple Health (Medicaid) Eligibility Factors – A video dealing with income verification issues
Washington Apple Health for Children in Foster Care – All foster children and youth in Washington are given health care through Coordinated Care
Washington Apple Health (Medicaid) Eligibility – A video on how Apple Health determines income
Washington Apple Health (Medicaid) Eligibility – A video addressing citizenship, immigration, and Medicaid

MCOs Available Through Apple Health

Amerigroup Washington
Community Health Plan of Washington
Coordinated Care of Washington
Molina Healthcare of Washington
UnitedHealthcare Community Plan