Brief Summary of Engrossed Bill

Maintains the prohibition on long-term admissions to Yakima Valley School, and modifies the time at which the residential habitation center at Yakima Valley School will cease operation from when there are 16 persons residing there to when there are eight persons there.
Specifies that when the Yakima Valley School ceases to operate as a residential habitation center, the facility must operate crisis stabilization beds and respite beds subject to certain needs and budget appropriations.

Background:

Developmental Disability Administration.

The Developmental Disabilities Administration within the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) provides support and services to persons with developmental disabilities. Services include case management, needs assessments, support in activities of daily living, employment, and rehabilitative therapies. The DSHS also provides medical, dental, and pharmaceutical services to persons with developmental disabilities. Services may be provided in three different service settings: in the client's own home; in a community residential setting; or in a residential habilitation center (RHC). State-operated living alternatives (SOLAs) are operated by the DSHS with state employees providing instruction and support to clients.

Residential Habitation Centers.

The state operates four RHCs which are established in statute to provide services and housing for persons with developmental disabilities: Rainier School in Buckley; Lakeland Village in Medical Lake; Fircrest School in Shoreline; and Yakima Valley School (YVS) in Selah. The Francis Haddon Morgan RHC was closed on December 31, 2011.

The YVS was designated as a nursing facility in 1994. Currently about 260 direct care and support staff provide 24-hour nursing care, a full spectrum of clinical and therapeutic programs, and recreation and activities to about 59 permanent residents and 41 short-term admissions. The YVS also offers planned respite services, which include: medical, nursing, dental, therapeutic, dietary, psychiatric, and recreation programs. Since August 24, 2011, new admissions, other than short-term respite or crisis stabilization services, have not been permitted at the YVS. The RHC at YVS is scheduled to close when the number of permanent residents reaches 16 people. On June 1, 2017, there were 59 permanent residents at the YVS. After its closure as an RHC, at least two cottages will be converted to SOLAs, subject to federal requirements on the receipt of matching funds.

Summary of Bill:

The prohibition on long-term admissions to the YVS is retained. Instead of ceasing to operate when there are 16 permanent residents, the YVS will cease to operate as an RHC when there are eight permanent residents.

When the YVS closes as an RHC, the YVS must operate crisis stabilization beds and as many respite beds as the needs of the DSHS-identified catchment area or as emergency placement needs require, subject to the availability of appropriated funds. The DSHS must continue to develop respite care in the community.

The requirement that YVS convert at least two cottages to SOLAs after its closure as an RHC, subject to federal requirements regarding the receipt of matching funds, is removed. The DSHS must provide SOLAs within funds specifically provided in the budget for RHC residents transitioning to the community who prefer a SOLA setting.