Clallam County Health & Human Services - Developmental Disabilities

06/23/2026

We are so excited our Clallam County Parks, Fair and Facilities Department has developed a wonderful new program for our Clallam County Fair because . . .

❤️1 in 4 individuals have a Sensory Need or an Invisible Disability -- these are individuals with PTSD, Autism, Dementia, Strokes . . . just to name a few.
❤️Sensory needs are a common medical condition in which the brain has trouble receiving and responding to information that comes in through the senses.
❤️Common sounds, lights, crowds and even certain smells might not only be overwhelming but also physically painful.
Because of this, these individuals withdraw from communities not by choice but by circumstance as they worry about how the world will accept or include them.

So, to offer support to these individuals, we would like to introduce you to a new Clallam County project called “Open Gates”!!

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Open Gates

Open Gates is a project developed by our Clallam County Parks, Fair and Facilities Department to enhance accessibility and enjoyment at the Clallam County Fair. This project aims to accommodate people in our community who experience sensory processing challenges, including individuals who experience:


Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
💠Dementia
💠Anxiety
💠Type 1 Diabetes
💠Various Mental Health Conditions
💠Parkinson's Disease
💠Stroke Survivors
💠Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
💠Military Veterans
💠ADD/ADHD
💠Learning Disabilities
💠And Other Invisible Disabilities

Our vision is to create an environment where everyone can experience Joy and Connection!

To achieve this there will be:

✏️Sensory Inclusive Training for Volunteers - We will provide a 30-minute comprehensive training and certification program for Fair Staff, First Responders, Volunteers and Caregivers. This training will emphasize the importance of understanding and effectively addressing sensory needs, significantly alleviating communication challenges and fostering more meaningful interactions.

✏️SIT (Sensory Inclusive Trailer) - This calming oasis will feature cozy seating, soft lighting and soothing elements, allowing individuals and caregivers to take breaks and recharge. This initiative aims to create a more enjoyable experience for families attending together, ensuring everyone feels welcome.

✏️Loaner Sensory-Inclusive Bags - Eventgoers will have the opportunity to borrow sensory bags filled with tools designed to create more comfortable environments. These bags will include noise-canceling headphones, tactile fidget tools, visual cue cards for communication and ID cards for quick identification of sensory needs.

✏️Wayfinding Solutions - Clear and intuitive wayfinding strategies, including detailed maps, visually branded signage, and informative banners. This will facilitate more straightforward navigation for attendees, helping clients, families, and caregivers find their way through the fairgrounds with confidence and ease.

✏️Sensory-Inclusive Entertainment - The County Fair will showcase an array of sensory-friendly entertainment options tailored to cultivate a welcoming and supportive atmosphere. This will include careful adjustments to lighting and sound levels, opportunities for movement and vocal expression and established quiet zones for those who need a break from stimulation.

✏️Universal Changing Table - To uphold the dignity and comfort of all guests, we will provide universal changing tables at the Fair. These tables will be designed to accommodate individuals of all ages, including those with disabilities and older adults who require assistance, ensuring everyone’s needs are met.

Through these thoughtfully designed initiatives, we aim to enhance accessibility, safety, and overall enjoyment for all Clallam County events. Our goal is to create a community where every resident can participate fully and joyfully, celebrating together in an environment that values and respects everyone’s unique needs.

If you are interested in Volunteering for Open Gates during the Fair this year or would like more information, Please Contact:
Aspen Smith - [email protected]

06/23/2026

This is Lois Curtis, one of the plaintiffs from Olmstead. I share her photo every February for Black history month, but want to share it today.

If Lois could do this....so can we. So think about her, glean strength from her memory.

The Olmstead v. L.C. case was decided by the U.S. Supreme Court on June 22, 1999.

This landmark case ruled that unnecessarily institutionalizing disabled people is discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). It affirmed that people with disabilities have the right to live in their communities with proper support, rather than being forced into institutions. It's worth noting that Justice Clarence Thomas wrote the *dissenting* opinion in that case.

The case was brought by Lois Curtis and Elaine Wilson, two Black women with disabilities who were institutionalized in Georgia despite being medically cleared to live in the community.
Lois Curtis didn’t set out to be an activist, she became one out of necessity.

Born with intellectual and developmental disabilities, she was institutionalized in Georgia at age 13. Even when doctors agreed she could live in the community with proper supports, the state refused to release her. She spent most of her young life locked away, deprived of freedom.

But Lois didn’t accept that. She repeatedly called lawyers from inside the institution, asking for help. Her persistence led to the landmark Olmstead v. L.C. Supreme Court case (1999), which ruled that unnecessary institutionalization is disability discrimination under the ADA.

After winning her case, Lois became an advocate for others, speaking publicly about the right to live independently and even meeting President Obama at the White House. She also found joy in painting, using art as a way to express herself and share her journey.

Lois Curtis proved that one voice, no matter how silenced society tries to make it, can change the world. 💜

Lois Curtis passed away from cancer just a few years ago at the age of 55. Thinking of her on this Juneteenth.

06/22/2026

Free and discounted resources for foster and kinship caregivers.

This guide from Alliance CaRES, a partner of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, provides free and low-cost resources for foster and kinship caregivers in Washington. Topics include recreation, museums, camps, educational programs, transportation, technology, and other supports that can help families save money and access community opportunities. The guide includes resources from organizations across the state in one easy-to-use document.

06/19/2026

Clallam County Health & Human Services Offices are Closed Friday, June 19th - Juneteenth

06/18/2026

Haircuts can be stressful for many autistic children and families. The Washington Autism Alliance (WAA) has shared practical sensory-friendly haircut tips along with a list of stylists who may better understand sensory needs.

Do you dread taking your child or just yourself for a haircut? Every person and every haircut is different. What works for one person may not work for the next, yet many stylists or salons take the cookie-cutter approach and don’t take the time to accommodate those that struggle with the hair-cutt...

06/17/2026

Two-Part Choking Video Series and Choking Care Provider Bulletin

Do you know the top causes of choking and how to respond if it happens to someone you care for? Check out our care provider bulletin and two short videos on choking prevention and first aid.
https://www.dshs.wa.gov/sites/default/files/DDA/dda/documents/DDCS%20Choking%20Caregiver%20Bulletin.pdf

Read our Choking Care Provider Bulletin to learn more about:

💠Common foods that people choke on.
💠Common causes of choking.
💠How to tell if someone might be choking.
💠Choking first aid for adults and infants.

Other resources:

💠Aspiration/Choking plan form https://tinyurl.com/56wbbb52
💠Commonwealth of Pennsylvania webpage – Choking Prevention https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dhs/resources/choking-prevention

Watch the two-part video series to test your choking knowledge and learn how to do abdominal thrusts, featuring DDCS staff Michael Rogers and Will Nichol.

Choking Prevention Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nN4veeUZQhM

Abdominal Thrust How-Tos Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRAbP8i0P80

06/16/2026

The Washington State Department of Health is seeking parents, guardians and caregivers to serve on a new advisory board focused on adolescent and young adult health. Board members will help share ideas, provide feedback and shape programs that support young people across Washington. Applications are open through June 30.

Adolescent and Young Adult Health Parent, Guardian, and Caregiver Advisory Board Working together to help youth thrive. Young people thrive when their parents

06/16/2026

The National Research Center for Parents with Disabilities is seeking blog posts and short videos from parents with disabilities who want to share their experiences. Submissions can focus on parenting, disability, family life, advocacy, challenges, successes or personal stories. Contributors whose work is selected for publication will receive a $100 payment.

Share your story in our blog about the experiences and needs of parents with disabilities. Our blog publishes blog posts in English as well as in Spanish. Blog posts are accepted throughout the year.

06/15/2026

From DDA - An Opportunity to Share Your Thoughts

Our regional Community Engagement Forums offer an opportunity for people with intellectual disabilities and developmental disabilities and their families to share suggestions about service delivery and processes directly with regional leadership and staff.
Participants will also be able to provide input on changes currently under consideration. This is your chance to improve programs for the people who use these services and the families who support them.

We hold Region 3 quarterly Community Engagement Forums on the 4th Thursday of February, May, August and November. All meetings are online, using Teams.

The next meeting is Thursday, June 25, 2026.
Time: 4—6:30 p.m.
How to Join the Meeting
Please join the Teams call using the link below (no registration needed) at: https://rb.gy/ehweec
Meeting ID: 285 652 970 540 00
Passcode: LE2Pz9Cr
Dial in by phone
+1 564-999-2000,,704 853 760 # United States, Olympia
Find a local number at https://dialin.teams.microsoft.com/811a9140-4f87-4b3b...
Phone conference ID: 704 853 760 #
Microsoft Teams Need help? Go to https://support.microsoft.com/.../join-a-meeting-in...
For questions or accommodations requests, please email Michelle Sturdevant at [email protected] , the Community Partner Engagement Program Manager.

06/15/2026

Additional promo codes available for WA ABLE accounts
Promotion period ends June 30

Save $25! Earn $50!

Through June 30, existing Washington State ABLE Account holders can earn a $50 match just for using their account. Eligible individuals who make a minimum contribution of $25 to their WA ABLE account using the promo code SAVEUP2026 will receive a $50 match. This is only available to first the700 participants, so act fast!

See the promotion rules for more details:
https://bit.ly/saveup2026waable