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By Dena Wood
The Times 

Developmental Disabilities Group Makes Progress

 


DAYTON - In most cases, the best leaders are those who have spent time in the trenches themselves. That personal, practical experience helps make Dayton Developmental Disabilities Leadership Project (DDDLP) Leader Sherri Huwe and her team a valuable community resource.

On Friday night, Representatives Maureen Walsh and Terry Nealey, joined local families and DDDLP team members in a reception at the Dayton Best Western Plus Hotel to raise seed money and brainstorm how to best meet the needs of Dayton's developmentally disabled citizens.

A $ 16,666 Developmental Disabilities Council (DDC) grant provided for the formation of the 2013-14 Dayton Developmental Disabilities Leadership Project. Through that project, a team of 17 individuals - all of whom have developmentally disabled family members -- gained skills in leadership and advocacy, with the ultimate goal of becoming a resource to the community. "Right now families have to travel to Walla Walla, the Tri- Cities or Spokane for help. We want a place right here in Dayton where people can get help walking through the red tape and learning what resources are available to them," said Project Leader Sherri Huwe.

Team members have participated in a year-long series of classes, workshops, advocacy trainings and internships. The DDC also sponsored thirteen team members in attending a three-day Leadership Legislative Advocacy Weekend in Olympia where they met with other leadership teams and made a mock presentation to legislators. "It was a really great experience. We learned so much," said Huwe. With DDDLP graduation weeks away, the team is looking for ways to put their knowledge and skills to work to impact the local community.

According to Huwe, the group would like to create a resource similar to Parent to Parent in Walla Walla, providing emotional and informational support for families of children and adults with disabilities. "We'd love to have a visible presence on Main Street where people could see a sign and know they could get help. Families have questions about school, transition, work, housing and so many things," said Huwe. "If you haven't been through it and know the process, it can be very overwhelming."

Leaders envision providing everything from workshops on helping families understand their child's Individualized Education Program (IEP) to helping them find respite care to aiding in the process of applying for Developmental Disabilities Administration waivers. The team would also like to see a Developmental Disabilities County Board and Coordinator. "We've worked hard learning to be good leaders, now I hope we can get the seed money to create that resource for the community," said Huwe.

 

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