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Overnight Planned Respite Services
New Site Announcement
We are excited to announce The Arc of Spokane's Bismark location is online and available to provide Overnight Planned Respite Services for adult clients. This location was temporarily offline due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As of May 1, The Arc of Spokane is operating two respite beds in Spokane, WA, including the Lidgerwood and Bismark sites. They are accepting applications for both locations.
There are four OPRS providers with eight beds available across the state:
  • The Arc of Spokane
  • Spokane (two beds)
  • Holly Community Services
  • Bellingham (one bed)
  • Service Alternatives
  • Lynnwood (one bed)
  • Tacoma (one bed)
  • Northwest Supported Living
  • Olympia (two beds)
  • Vancouver (one bed)
What are Overnight Planned Respite Services?
OPRS is a community-based service for adult clients of DDA who live with a family member or primary caregiver. The services are designed to offer a break in caregiving. Respite is provided in a community setting, such as a home or apartment staffed by contracted, certified providers. Each setting serves one person at a time, using a person-centered plan developed with the individual and family to create a schedule and activities that meet the person’s needs. The maximum length of stay is fourteen days within a calendar year. OPRS is available in addition to any respite hours assessed through a waiver program.
Service Request:
Contact your DDA Case Manager to request OPRS to plan a break from caregiving.
Click here to learn more information about OPRS, and check out the Informing Families website for information.
For questions, please contact Jaimee Scheffler, Respite Coordinator.
You can find a wonderful list of books on our website that feature
kids with special health and developmental needs
June Feature Book:
Written from her own experience, the author, who was diagnosed with hydrocephalus (sometimes called "water on the brain") as a baby, tells the story of 8-year old Annie. Annie wears a leg brace, falls down a lot, and is teased at school because one of her hands is smaller than the other. After confiding in her mother, many of her fears about her differences are expelled and she begins to realize her special strengths and capabilities.
 A bilingual book, in English and Spanish, and available through local or online bookstores.

The Heart of Parent to Parent
is the Parent Match!
Enjoy these stories from local parents:
My experience in the Parent to Parent program has been the best, because all the people who attend understand your feelings perfectly. We all have a special person in our lives.
I met my best friend Claudia there, she has become a great support, we have many things in common and we understand each other perfectly.
It is as if I had found the missing piece in my puzzle. She and I go out at least once a week for coffee when the children are at school, and we talk about everything during the week. It has become our personal therapy. I’m thankful for programs like Parent to Parent, that help us parents so much.
~ T.E.
Finding out your child has a disability throws yet another loop in the roller coaster ride of parenthood. When I found out my son had been diagnosed with autism, my seat on the roller coaster derailed and I ended up sinking in the ocean. I felt like I was drowning in paperwork and a never-ending list of unknowns. I finally reached out to Parent to Parent for some guidance.
I've attended a couple of events and have even met another mom of an autistic son, via Zoom. These few interactions have helped me come up for air and start to see that I am not alone, and I can one day be back on solid ground.
The saying, 'it takes a village' is true, but when that village is familiar with the issues that come along in raising a special needs child, it makes all the difference.
~ S.C.
Partners for Housing was awarded a project through Dan Thompson funds to make available a FREE Residential Assessment for families that are beginning the process of identifying housing and residential options for their son or daughter. 
It’s a fantastic way to help families understand what they need to think about and how to start the process of “moving out”. Pam’s team then offers free consultation that includes a benefits analysis when going over the residential assessment results with families. 
 
This has proven to be a real invaluable tool for families needing to “make the move” to a loved one living independent from the family home. 
 
Residential Assessment link: https://arcwa.org/partners4housing/

Let’s create a more inclusive community for people experiencing a disability.
Individuals with disabilities are often made to feel less than or different because of stigma, lack of knowledge, and the social unease that revolves around discussions concerning disabilities - we’re determined to change that mindset. The level of underrepresentation these members of our community face has inspired us to initiate a campaign of listening and learning. We are proud to reinforce the voices of our neighbors living with a disability and strive to bridge any gaps to improve accessibility and inclusion of all groups in our Valley.
Mental Health Resources
Children’s Village is GROWING and we need YOUR help!
Whether you can contribute $1.00, $5.00 or $500…it ALL helps! 
Please consider being part of our expansion campaign, so we can serve more children. Your support matters! 
Visit www.champscampaign.org to learn more or make a donation!
DO YOU LOVE PARENT TO PARENT?
Show us some love by taking this short survey to tell Parent to Parent how we’re doing!
 Survey results will help us as we continue to tell the story of how Parent to Parent is making a difference in the lives of families raising children with developmental disabilities and/or special healthcare needs!
 Survey links
Washington now has a Native and Strong Lifeline, dedicated to serving Washington’s American Indian and Alaska Native individuals, press 4 to access it.
Spanish speakers may reach the Spanish Language Line by pressing 2
Veterans and service members may reach the Veterans Crisis Line by pressing 1.
People who are deaf, hard of hearing, and TTY users should use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 1-800-273-8255.
Text and chat services are available in English only. 
The Arc - Washington State

Parent to Parent of Washington

DDA Eligibility

Washington’s Mental Health Referral Service for Children and Teens

Wandering Prevention Resources

OSPI - Special Education Parent Liaison

Parenting Special Needs Magazine

Working Connections Child Care

Developmental Disabilities Endowment Trust Fund

Washington State ABLE Savings Plan

AUTISM 100 DAY TOOLKIT