Northwest Center Launches Advocacy Branch in 2017

Photo from Advocacy Day 2017 in Olympia, WA

​With a full agenda of developments and exciting news, there’s a lot to be excited about at Northwest Center in this upcoming year. One thing we’re especially pleased to share with you all is the launch of our advocacy branch; a new sector of Northwest Center aiming to connect our clients with even more resources both locally and nationally, while also supplying useful, nonpartisan information to help families and individuals make the best choices for themselves. 

We wanted to make this announcement on Advocacy Day, a day meant for transparency among advocating organizations. To begin, we wanted to explain why we feel the need to launch an advocacy branch. While we work hard to serve all our clients, the feedback we receive highlights how difficult it is to navigate the realm of education and job services for people with disabilities. By presenting our services, services offered by other organizations and community resources, we hope to eliminate the confusion and bewilderment many face when beginning this journey and at each new chapter they face.

You can expect our advocacy branch to include information meant to educate – whether about new legislative developments or any relevant news – as well as providing information on available resources, news on what we’re doing to provide more services to the community and news of opportunities for you to self-advocate. 

We look forward to sharing more of this information with you in the future, but keeping in the spirit of the day wanted to share some resources we feel complement our mission and work. The following organizations offer services you may find useful:

1. The ARC of Washington State – From parent support groups to education programs, The ARC aims to support families on a personalized level. 
2. Cooper House – With the goal of strengthening the parent-child relationship and supporting early development, Cooper House offers services including occupational therapy and the Fussy Baby Network.
3. Denise Louie Education Center – Focusing on educational endeavors, the DLEC offers summer programs, early head start and play & learn programs. 
4. Educare – Offering educational opportunities for children ranging from infants to five years old, Educare also specializes in home visits, community programs and partnerships with local schools.
5. El Centro de la Raza – Providing an array of bilingual and multicultural services for children, their services include childcare, afterschool mentoring and tutoring and weekly workshops.
6. Wellspring Family Services – Offering parent/child therapy either in-home or in a professional setting, a Baby Boutique for low income families and early learning programs.
7. Sightconnection – Helping thousands of people with vision loss to remain active and independent.
   

​Throughout 2017 and beyond, we will strive to be a resource for families, children and individuals in our community. We hope you will partner with us on your journey of self-advocacy, and know that we’re here for you. ​