View Terri's photos of Therapy Garden dedication here

Who we are:

Friends of Fircrest is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization advocating for the rights to quality living choices for all people with developmental disabilities. Friends of Fircrest provides support to residents of Fircrest School.

Current Interest:

Action DD Meeting & 2010 Legislative Reception

Action DD will meet Wednesday, January 20, 10:00 am to 12:30 pm, at the Clarion Hotel on Capitol Way in Olympia. DSHS Secretary Susan Dreyfus will be the guest for the first hour.

The Annual DD Legislative Reception will be held that evening, 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, in the Legislative Building, Columbia Room. For additional information, see the Flyer. For information on how to contact your legislator, see the info page.

Governor's Proposed Supplemental Budget

Proposed budget cuts could result in closure of Francis Haddon Morgan Center and of one cottage at Rainier School, and impact other DDD services. For additional information, see these items:
* DDD 2010 Supplemental Budget
* Letter from DSHS Secretary Susan N. Dreyfus
* Letter from DSHS Assistant Secretary Kathy Leitch.
These are proposals that will be considered by the legislature beginning in January 2010. Individuals wishing to comment on these proposals can contact key state legislators.

Seattle Disabilities Commission Funded

See Interview by Bellamy Pailthorp, KPLU FM (Seattle-Tacoma)
November 24, 2009.

Spokane rally protests proposed cuts at Lakeland Village

See news article in The Spokesman Review (Spokane,)
October 19, 2009.

Major cuts recommended by Office of Financial Managment

If recommendations of a draft report are implemented, Francis Haddon Morgan Center (Bremerton) would be closed by 2013 and Rainier School (Buckley) by 2017. Also, by 2017, all intermediate care facilities at remaining RHCs would be eliminated, and only limited skilled nursing facilities would remain in service. See:
KOMO news report (Oct 14, 2009) and
Office of Financial Management news release (Oct 14, 2009)

VOR's Petition to Congress

Petition to Congress in Support of Residential Choice. (Prepared by Voice of the Retarded, May 2009)

Cost Reductions at RHCs

Statement on Cost Reductions, Efficiencies, and Needs at RHCs (Prepared by Action DD, April 2009)

Budgets

Final 2009-11 Biennial Operating Budget by Kathy Leitch, Asst. Secy., Washington State Aging and Disability Services Adm., May 1, 2009

Post Legislative Session Update by Kathy Leitch, Asst. Secy., Washington State Aging and Disability Services Adm., April 29, 2009

PostLegislativeSessionUpdate.pdfSide-by-side comparison of specific budget items
(The Governor's proposals compared to House and Senate Versions, with data to be updated as it becomes available.
Latest version 04/07/09)

Proposed 2009 –2011 Budget & Policy Highlights
(As submitted by Governor Chris Gregoire, December 2008.
Click on "Human Services" in order to view DSHS issues. )

Fircrest Pool

State Closes Fircrest Pool by Amy Daybert, Editor, The Enterprise (Shoreline, WA), March 18, 2009

View video clip on closing of Fircrest therapy swimming pool. King 5 TV, March 2009.

Proposal to close Fircrest swimming and therapy pools by Amy Daybert, Editor, The Enterprise (Shoreline, WA), February 18, 2009

Selah RHC

Governor hasn't made her case for closing Selah facility
Yakima Herald Republic editorial, February 22, 2009

Resolutions

Two resolutions approved by the Washington State Democratic Democratic Central Committee (WSDCC)
January 24, 2009:

1. A Residents Rights Resolution stating individuals with developmental disabilities who reside in ICF/MR should have the same rights other disabled individuals receive. View resolution (14kB PDF)
   
   
2. A Resolution in Favor of Keeping Yakima Valley School Open View resolution (38 kb PDF)