Petition requesting the reversal of the decision by DDA to delay the Community Based respite contract with Northwest Child/Aaron’s Place. We, the families/caregivers of the children and adult disabled clients of Aaron’s Place, request that the DDA allow for Northwest’s Child to access and implement The Community Based Respite Contract. Currently, this contract is being held back for unknown reasons even though Northwest’s Child qualifies for this contract and it will clearly have great benefits to our families. DDA has already confirmed the use is available to Northwest’s Child, however, it is being delayed unfairly.

Northwest Child/Aaron’s Place is the only resource serving the autistic/severely disabled child and adult community in an integrated community-based setting. Because of the specific communication and interpersonal deficits that characterize autism, their needs can only adequately be addressed in a group setting. The adult day programs that this population is eligible for do not meet their needs, and are very ill-suited to accommodate them.

Northwest Child/Aaron’s Place serves a clientele that would otherwise be shut in, providing a service to the community at large by helping to expand their exposure to and understanding of children and adults with disabilities. Northwest Child/Aaron’s Place has a major focus on community integration, planning daily activities throughout the community that no individual family could possibly approximate. Without an adequate replacement for this program, these families/caregivers will face a radical disruption in their lives, and the adult clientele will experience severe reduction in their quality of life. We urge you to reverse this decision and allow Northwest’s Child a contract for Community-based Respite.