Kitsap County Parent Advocacy

06/20/2026

WA State Ferries has joined the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program. Find out what is about and how you can learn more. Launching in July.

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We're pleased to share that we have joined the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program to better support people with non-apparent disabilities as they travel through our system. Through this program, we will offer complementary Sunflower lanyards. People who choose to wear them can quietly signal that they may need extra time, understanding or help while traveling. We are now finishing employee training and plan to officially launch the program in late July. Please stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks on how to get and use the lanyards.

This effort reflects our commitment to making Washington State Ferries accessible and welcoming for everyone. Accessibility is more than meeting rules. It is about how we serve people every day and how we improve the travel experience for all riders. We are committed to building a system where everyone feels welcome, included and respected.

06/19/2026

Vestibular stimming is connected to movement, balance, and body awareness.

For many autistic children, movement is not just “extra energy.” It can be how their nervous system regulates, resets, and feels safe.

Vestibular stimming may look like:
• Spinning.
• Swinging.
• Jumping.
• Rocking.
• Running.
• Climbing.
• Bouncing.
• Hanging upside down.
• Pacing.
• Sliding.
• Moving under or through tight spaces.

This type of movement can help an autistic child feel calmer, more focused, more organized, and more connected to their body.

It is not bad behavior.
It is not defiance.
It is not attention seeking.

It is often regulation.

When we understand the need behind vestibular stimming, we can support it safely with movement breaks, swings, trampolines, climbing, heavy work, quiet spaces, and patience.

Support the movement need, not shame the stim.

06/18/2026

Coming up on Monday, June 22nd, 6:30pm - 8:00 pm on Zoom with the Arc of Snohomish. Join in!

Social Skills and Healthy Friendships

Monday, June 22, 2026
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Virtual presentation by Stefanie LeJeunesse, Washington Vocational Services

*Conversational skills: it’s not as easy as “just introduce yourself”!

*Online safety, etiquette, and connection.

*The loneliness epidemic, how it affects our students, and what to do about it.

*Taking power away from bullying.

Register for Zoom link: https://www.arcsno.org/civicrm/event/register/?reset=1&id=647

06/15/2026

The Procedural Safeguards that you get at each IEP meeting are important to us as parents. How do we break that down in a meaningful way. Take a look at the wonderful job has done in their breakdown on this handout/image.

06/15/2026

DID YOU KNOW ?
Many people with
intellectual and developmental disabilities receive support through Medicaid programs called Home and Community Based Services waivers, or waivers for short? Washington’s five DDA waivers currently support more than 25,000 people with I/DD to live and participate in their communities. Each of the five DDA waivers has its own menu of services and eligibility requirements.

Learn more by watching the DDA Waiver Overview video, a new addition the their Waiver Services Video Library. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLb1tUPq5ofBETMtX2HGxUC7I2w6OSX5kP

You can also visit the WA State Department of Social www.youtube.com/

06/10/2026

Ben's Fund Quarterly Grant Application Opens 10am on July 6, 2026

Ben’s Fund's next grant cycle opens at 10am on Monday, July 6, 2026. This grant provides financial assistance to children and young adults with autism in Washington state to help families access services and supports they may not otherwise be able to afford. Families can apply for up to $1,000 per year, per child, which may be used toward eligible needs such as therapies, medical costs, equipment, technology, camp, safety and security items, and other autism-related supports.

Submission of an application does not guarantee a grant award. The application period closes once the maximum number of completed applications has been received. Families are encouraged to review the requirements, gather documents early, and apply as close to the opening date as possible.
https://www.bensfund.org/apply-to-our-grant/

Please list all household members, then in as many words as you feel comfortable, tell us about your child or your young adult and how the requested equipment or services will support their autism journey.

06/06/2026

Talent Show this Sunday, June 7th from 4-5pm at the Cross Sound Admin Office on Bainbridge! Can you sing, lip sync, or dance? Can you play an instrument, tell some funny jokes or recite a poem? Can you do a magic trick, beatbox or play the kazoo? Have you created a cool video digitally? We want to see your talents! Join us Sunday!!!! This is our last club for the school year but follow us for events throughout the Summer!!
Capernaum Kitsap

06/06/2026

Learning how to use the funds you are putting aside in the ABLE account is important so that each person is able to live a full and rich life.

Using ABLE Accounts for everyday needs and goals

ABLE accounts can help pay for a wide range of Qualified Disability Expenses, such as summer camp, fans, lawn care and other everyday supports. This resource from the ABLE National Resource Center explains what counts as a Qualified Disability Expense and how ABLE funds can support comfort, independence and quality of life.

April 2021 (Click plus signs for more info.) General QDE Guidance for ABLE Account Users This guidance should be useful to the ABLE account owner and to their circle of support who is assisting, advising or making decisions with the ABLE account owner. Chose one of the following common QDE Categorie...

06/05/2026