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The Dan Thompson Memorial Developmental Disabilities Community Services Account was created in 2005 after the death of Dan Thompson. Dan was an advocate, a Microsoft employee, and a person with a developmental disability. In 2021, the account received $50 million from the Washington State Legislature. The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is required to get recommendations from the Developmental Disabilities Council (DDC) on how to spend funds from the account. The DDC created the Dan Thompson Advisory Committee to identify priorities and create an application process to distribute funding.
The Washington State legislature established the Dan Thompson Developmental Disabilities Community Services Account in RCW 71A.20.170. State grants are made to community organizations providing “supports and services in a community setting to benefit eligible individuals with developmental disabilities. Expenditures from the account must supplement (not replace, supplant, or reduce) current state expenditure levels” or duplicate Medicaid HCBS waivers.
The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is required to get recommendations from the Developmental Disabilities Council (DDC) on how to spend the funding. The DDC created the Dan Thompson Advisory Committee to identify priorities and create an application process. DSHS will make the final decisions about which projects to fund. Organizations will be required to report on how the funding is being spent.
A map of Washington State showing the distribution of Dan Thompson Account awards by county. Counties are shaded in varying colors based on the number of awards received. King County is highlighted in a darker shade, indicating the highest number of awards (36). Other counties with notable award counts include Snohomish (9), Pierce (8), Jefferson (6), Yakima (5), and Whatcom (5). Several counties have lower numbers, ranging from 1 to 4 awards, while some are unshaded with no data.
Courageous Connections, located in Snohomish County, received two grants from the Dan Thompson Memorial Developmental Disabilities Community Services Account. Courageous Connections mission is to promote the physical and emotional development of people of all ages and unique abilities through safe, therapeutic, outdoor experiences with horses. They provide healing, learning and growing through experiences with horses.
During a recent site visit, DDA staff were able to tour the farm, meet the horses, and meet staff. Their programs offer participants, of all ages and abilities, a safe and unique opportunity to partner with horses while working from the ground. Their staff are CPR, first-aid, automated external defibrillator trained, Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International certified and Trauma Informed Care skilled. From the very beginning their vision has included “the acquisition of a farm property that encourages interactions with nature where all are treated with kindness and respect.”
“This private/public grant is somewhat unique and would never have happened without the perseverance and hard work of our new friends at DSHS DDA, and the Commerce Department of Washington. Our most sincere thanks go to Addie, Joe, Heather, Tom, Nicole, Britany and almost surely some others that I have left out, for being so invested in seeing this project to completion for Courageous Connections,” reports Sue Eulau, board member and treasurer
Visit Courageous Connections Website
Clallam Mosaic received a grant from the Dan Thompson Memorial Developmental Disabilities Community Services Account to purchase autonomous technology. Clallam Mosaic is in Port Angeles and Sequim. Their mission is to empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They provide virtual and in-person programs, community engagement, host the county’s Parent to Parent program and serve as the Informing Families coordinator. The majority of those receiving services live below state/federal poverty levels.
During a recent site visit, DDA staff were able to participate in a portion of the day program at Clallam Mosaic. DDA engaged with participants, co-instructors, and the executive director. Participants shared the joy of partaking in the recent 4th of July parade with Clallam Mosaic. DDA staff also participated in day activities, such as chair yoga and bingo. Clallam Mosaic has many plans and would like to continue to grow and expand services. Their hope is to add a theater program in the winter since instructors and participants have expressed interest in doing this.
Clallam Mosaic will use the award funds to acquire iPads, MacBooks, a printer, and software applications for their lending library. They will provide coaching sessions with clients to utilize the technology. Additionally, Clallam Mosaic will use the grant funds to create a curriculum for their technology course and coaching sessions plus develop the policies and procedures for their lending library.
Executive Director Julia Montagnet shared “Clallam Mosaic is using their gift from the Dan Thompson fund to open avenues for education and self-expression through technology for people with developmental disabilities.” She expressed her gratitude for the grant and the opportunities it brings to expand services to the community.
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Outdoors for All Foundation received a Round 2 grant from the Dan Thompson Memorial Developmental Disabilities Community Services Account to pay for staffing and operations at a new Adaptive Cycling Center at Lake Sammamish State Park in Issaquah that will offer adaptive recreation opportunities. Outdoors for All Foundation has a cycling center in Seatle. Their mission is to enrich the quality of life for children and adults with disabilities through outdoor recreation
During a recent site visit, DDA staff discussed the project with staff member Morgan and volunteer Autumn, reviewed the inventory, and tried out a few adaptive bicycles on the paths surrounding the facility in the Lake Sammamish State Park
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Additionally, the Seatle Times featured an article about the launch of the Lake Sammamish Adaptive Cycling Center.
“Thank you again for your support of our mission and helping to enrich the lives of children and adults with disabilities in East King County,” stated Griffin Armour, Development Manager at Outdoors for All Foundation. “We’re incredibly pleased with how things are going so far!”
