Resources for Families

How do I apply for respite care for my child with complex health needs? The ARC of King County offers consultation by phone, email or in person. Reach out for information and support.

• Personal Care & Respite Care
• Espanol: Cuidado Personal & Cuidado de Relevo (Respite Care)

These resources might also be helpful:

• For Families of School Aged Children
• Espanol: Information for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and their Spanish-Speaking Families

Halloween can be a tricky time for families with children who have sensory, mobility, or other accessibility needs. That’s why we’re excited to share this insightful article from **Parents Magazine**: [Neurodivergence, Disabilities, and Halloween: How to Have an Accessible Holiday].

This article includes expert tips and personal stories, featuring contributions from our very own Family Engagement Coordinator, Lane McKittrick. Lane offers practical advice on how to adjust expectations, embrace new traditions, and ensure every child can enjoy the magic of Halloween.

If Halloween feels challenging for your family, you’re not alone. Check out the article for ideas on how to make the holiday more inclusive and fun for everyone!

Don’t miss out on other resources like this—subscribe to our monthly family newsletter or follow us on Facebook.

We are excited to share a valuable new resource with our community: “Sharing Your Story”—a guide designed to help families communicate their personal experiences in impactful ways.

Telling your story can be a powerful tool for raising awareness, creating change, and building meaningful connections. Whether you’re advocating for your child, seeking to educate others, or simply wanting to share your journey with friends, this guide offers practical advice and tools to make the process easier and more meaningful.

What You’ll Find in This Resource:

• Why Your Story Matters – Explore how personal stories can foster understanding, break down barriers, and influence change.
• Storytelling Tips – Learn techniques for organizing your thoughts, finding your voice, and crafting a message that resonates with different audiences.
• Audience & Purpose – Discover how to tailor your story for various contexts—whether it’s a meeting with your child’s school, advocacy efforts, or connecting with other families.
• Reflection Activities & Writing Prompts – Get started with thought-provoking prompts that guide you through the storytelling process.

This resource was introduced during one of our recent Family Connection Calls, and we’re thrilled to now make it available to all families. Sharing your journey not only helps others but can also provide clarity, healing, and empowerment for you and your loved ones.

We hope this guide inspires you to share your story with confidence and purpose. Together, our voices are stronger, and our stories can create change!

Don’t miss out on other resources like this—subscribe to our monthly family newsletter.

The Washington DeafBlind Program is excited to share two new resources to help families get ready for the school year:

1. Back-to-School Tips: A handy guide filled with practical tips to help you and your child transition smoothly into the new school year.
2. Summer Prep Tips: Ideas and activities to do over the summer that will set your child up for success when school starts again!

These resources are designed to support both you and your child’s IEP team and were shared out as part of our Monthly Family Connection Calls. Check them out today and get a head start on a successful school year!

Los Servicios de Mentores Familiares de la Oficina para Personas Sordas y con Problemas de Audición (ODHH) están disponibles para brindar asistencia y apoyo a los padres, cuidadores y familias para desarrollar diferentes formas de comunicarse e interactuar con niños y jóvenes.

Los mentores familiares son adultos sordos, sordociegos, con problemas de audición y con discapacidad auditiva, especialmente capacitados para proporcionar vínculos entre las familias de niños sordos, sordociegos, con discapacidad auditiva o con problemas de audición y la comunidad donde viven. Además, sirven como modelos positivos para estas familias. Para leer más sobre estos servicios, visite elPágina web de servicios de mentores familiares de ODHHo descargar la postal,Servicios de mentores familiares

Partnerships for Action, Voices for Empowerment (PAVE) has a website in multiple languages, including information on the right to a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE).

Visit PAVE to view this resource.

Did you know that a guide on Life After High School is available for free, in many languages? Do you know a family of a youth (14-21) with a disability who could use a written guide in Arabic, Vietnamese, English or another language? See the Open Doors for Multicultural Families website > 

Questions about your middle or high school student? Please reach out to Sarah Godwin: sarah.godwin@wssb.wa.gov