Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Developmental Disabilities topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Cowlitz County reports high supported-employment rate under developmental-disabilities contract
Summary
County staff briefed commissioners on the developmental disabilities contract: about 155 adults currently served, with roughly 84% of supported-employment participants employed—above the statewide average—and a broad list of local employers hiring supported employees.
Cowlitz County staff updated commissioners on services and expected contract renewals under the Developmental Disabilities (DDA) program, including employment and day services for eligible adults.
"So these particular programs, the adult employment and day programs, individuals start at age 21..." Gina James, director of Health and Human Services, said. She described two program tracks: supported employment and community inclusion (day programs). The county currently reports about 155 adults enrolled in the programs. Of those in supported employment, the county reported an 84% employment rate, which James said was higher than the typical statewide average around 62%.
Contracted providers named in the briefing include Goodwill, Compass, Lifeworks and Employers Overload for adult employment/day services, and Progress Center for child-development services. James said Progress Center serves more than 300 enrolled children overall, while about 37 children on average bill the county because other payers (insurance, other funding) cover services for many enrollees.
County staff also highlighted a list of roughly 50 local businesses that currently employ supported employees, from small businesses to larger employers including health providers. James stressed that recent shifts allowing participants to enroll in both supported employment and community-inclusion programs have increased program participation and the county’s contract totals.
No new contract was adopted at the meeting; staff said they expect a state contract for the next fiscal year in the coming weeks and will return with formal pass-through agreements to local providers.
