Audrey Adams is a mother of a 29 year old with autism. Like many of us, she's had plenty of "bumps" with the respite system. She decided to step forward and change the system. Please see below.

FROM AUDREY ADAMS:

SEIU 775, the Training Partnership (TP) and the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) are working on fixing the problems, but they need to hear our perspectives. SEIU has asked me to get input from other parents who have sons/daughters with developmental disabilities AND respite providers about what we need to make the system work for us. They especially need to hear from those who have had significant challenges with the respite provider certification and training system.

PLEASE SEND ME YOUR "TOP FIVE" respite provider issues, complaints and/or suggestions.

What is wrong, in your opinion, with the training system now?  What can we, as parents, suggest to make it better within the current law?  What do we want the SEIU, TP and DDA to do to fix the errors of 2013?  What can be done to get the lost respite providers back?  Now is the time to flood me with your stories and opinions. 

Direct input from respite providers who have had difficult challenges with the system is also needed.  Could you ask your respite providers (or former respite providers) to write down their issues as well?  What does the system need to do for them---present and future? 

A think-tank planning meeting will be held in Seattle in mid-July and SEIU has asked me to invite 6 parents who have sons/daughters with developmental disabilities and 6 respite providers to attend this meeting so that SEIU and the Training Partnership can better understand our concerns and "to begin to creatively solve some of the issues moving forward".

PLEASE CALL ME if you would like to be part of the 5-hour think-tank meeting at SEIU on respite.

We're looking for problem-solvers who are experienced with "the good, the bad and the ugly" of the respite system.  If there is interest, SEIU may plan other short meetings after this one that might be easier to attend.  The organizers are open to "creative attendance" to this planning meeting.  We can talk about this if/when you call me.

Audrey Adams

425-271-2229

audrey55@comcast.net