Find information and links to resources on frequently asked questions for educators supporting students with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
Resources to help families connect with developmental disabilities services
We appreciate your partnership in sharing information with students and families about the process for obtaining developmental disabilities services in Washington state.
Click here to read more about our commitment to supporting students’ school access.
Who is eligible for developmental disabilities services?
To be found eligible for developmental disabilities services in Washington state, a person must:
- Be a Washington state resident,
- Have evidence of a qualifying developmental disability that began before age 18, and
- Have evidence of substantial limitations.
Read about developmental disabilities Eligible Conditions and Required Documentation for Enrollment Determinations here: 22-1679 Required Documentation for DDCS Enrollment Determination.
How early can a child enroll for developmental disabilities services?
Eligible individuals can enroll with Developmental Disabilities Community Services at any age.
We encourage families to enroll potentially eligible children and youth early, even if they do not have a current need for paid services. This can shorten the time it takes to access services when they want them. DSHS also makes a variety of benefits available to all enrolled individuals and their families. Click here to learn more.
Does developmental disabilities services eligibility ever expire?
It depends.
If a child is enrolled before their third birthday with developmental delay, their eligibility expires on their fourth birthday. Their family would receive notice of the eligibility expiration and must reapply to stay enrolled with DDCS.
If a child or youth is enrolled with developmental delays between age 3 and 20, their eligibility will expire on their 20th birthday. They would receive notice of the eligibility expiration and would need to reapply to stay enrolled.
To maintain enrollment past age 20, a person must have a diagnosis of one or more of the other eligible conditions, including: autism, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, intellectual disability or another similar neurological condition.
For information about developmental disabilities services eligibility renewal requirements, families can reach out to their DDCS case manager, contact their local DDCS field office, or submit an online Service and Information Request.
Where can families go to start the enrollment process?
Learn about and access forms to start the enrollment process for developmental disabilities services here: How to Enroll in DDCS | DSHS
Where can families get support with the enrollment process?
Our staff are happy to assist with completing the forms and gathering documentation. Families can contact their local DDCS office with questions about the enrollment process.
Families can also reach out to their local County Developmental Disabilities Program, and family and peer support organizations for help with DDCS’s enrollment process.
How can schools help families with the enrollment process?
Schools can help by providing information about DDCS and by supporting families to gather and share education records.
Information included in special education evaluations and other school records is often relevant and helpful in determining whether a person meets developmental disabilities services eligibility requirements.
Helping a family gather education records to submit with their application can help save time.
A consent form is included in the application packet that a parent or guardian can sign to allow DDCS staff to reach out to schools and others directly to gather evidence as needed to make an eligibility determination.
Schools can also support and encourage families to pursue a medical diagnosis if they suspect their child has autism, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, intellectual disability or another neurological condition. A medical diagnosis, or a finding of intellectual disability is required to maintain eligibility for developmental disabilities services past age 20. Review the Required Documentation for DDCS Enrollment Determination publication for more detailed information.
How long does it take to enroll and get developmental disabilities services from DDCS?
It varies. DDCS follows specific timeframes for responding to applications for enrollment, providing a determination within 30 days of receiving the necessary information. DDCS does allow flexibility for families to gather or provide necessary documentation, which can extend the time for determination.
Once eligibility is confirmed and a person is enrolled in DDCS, there are additional steps required to determine eligibility for particular services.
Does DDCS provide help for families whose primary language is not English?
Yes. DDCS forms and informational materials are available in multiple languages. They can be accessed from our website, here and/or requested from a local DDCS office.
When families call DDCS, they can request interpreter services.
Can someone from DDCS do a presentation for my school or district?
DDCS welcomes opportunities to share information about our enrollment process and services. To maximize limited resources, we work closely with our county developmental disabilities programs and look for opportunities to share information through Regional Interagency Transition Networks and County Interagency Coordinating Councils.
To request a training or speaker for an outreach event, please contact:
- Your regional Intake and Eligibility team at the contact information listed here: How to Enroll in DDA | DSHS, or
- The Field Services Regional Administrator for your region at the contact information listed here: https://www.dshs.wa.gov/dda/find-dda-office.
Resources for supporting seamless transitions from school to adult life
Thank you for partnering with us to support seamless transitions from school to adult life for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
A key first step for individuals potentially eligible for developmental disabilities services is to apply for enrollment. Click here for information on How to Enroll in DDCS | DSHS.
What kind of DDCS services can students and their families access while they are still in school?
DDCS offers a variety of services and items to help individuals be more independent at home and in their community. Eligibility for services depends on the individual’s program eligibility and assessed need. Some of the services that DDCS’s school-aged clients and their families access most frequently include:
- Respite services.
- Specialized equipment and supplies.
- Assistive technology.
You can find more information about the different services and supports available through DDCS here: Help with Daily Life | DSHS
When can an individual access employment supports through DDCS?
DDCS partners with counties, schools, and others to support early exploration of job interests for young adult students (generally at age 19) to build the foundation for future employment through the Job Foundation program. Read more on the Job Foundation Program Locator | Informing Families.
DDCS provides long-term employment supports to eligible adults, typically after an individual has gone through the DVR process and has exited school.
Read more in the Washington State Transition Map | WSRC.
Where can students and families go to learn more about how paid employment might impact public benefits?
Individuals enrolled with DDCS can receive free, individualized benefits counseling from BenefitU starting at age 14. BenefitU is a DDCS-funded service that offers information, tools, resources and coaching to help individuals make informed decisions about working and receiving government benefits.
How is DDCS partnering with schools and communities to advance inclusion?
DDCS has been proud to collaborate with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Inclusionary Practices Technical Assistance Network in support of efforts to advance inclusionary practices in our state’s public schools.
Read more about that ongoing work at the IPTN website, here: Inclusionary Practices Technical Assistance Network
Watch this short video to hear perspectives on inclusion from people connected to the developmental disabilities community:
Everyone Wins When Everyone’s Included! | Informing Families (link to video file on file)
Interagency Collaboration Resources
Washington State Transition Council (convened by DVR) – Statewide Transition Council | DSHS.
OSPI, DVR, DSB and DDA Interagency Agreement - Contract DVR-DSB-DDA 20250306 FINAL.docx.pdf
Job Foundation: A Value Based Pilot Program | Informing Families