Retirement Countdown II

Our DDA waiver team invited me to a virtual lunch via teams and delighted me with a Washington State Parks gift card and a Waiver Team flannel blanket.

During lunch we shared fun memories and sweet sentiments.  We talked about the changes we have seen in the past 9 years with our waiver programs.  Some were very consequential like the Individual and Family Support DDA HCBS waiver that allowed disabled people ages 0-90+ living with a family member to potentially access 27 services (Assistive Technology, Environmental Adaptations to their home, Peer Mentoring, Respite Care, Specialized Clothing, Specialized Equipment and Supplies, Staff and Family Consultation, Vehicle Modifications, to name some).  All of the services were designed to remove barriers for living in the community with their family members and prevent institutionalization. Just to give you an idea of how big this project was, in 2 years' time we developed the program, determined eligibility requirements and processes, Created and implemented contracts and policies, trained staff and engaged in community outreach, and enrolled 6500 developmentally and intellectual disabled participants.  To spur motivation we engaged in a "Race to the finish" for 3 competing regions that provided monthly updates on our progress.  Of course, Region 1 took the lead at the finish line.

We talked about the many times we were given projects and deadlines though legislative projects without the groundwork clearly laid: funding, contracts, policies, or manpower.  

I was asked what guidance I would five to the team as I depart, and was even asked if in a year I might consider becoming a contracted provider for Community Engagement or purchasing services.

My experience at DDA has been so satisfying. My first year I was assigned as case manager for people that lacked access to "paid" supports that they needed.  I was so frequently impressed with how many people support their disabled family member or friend to a fulfilling life even with minimal resources. It was quite humbling beginning as I tried to find natural supports (meaning not DDA funded) to meet their needs.  

Near the end of my time in that role, I had opportunities to complete DDA CARE assessments for individuals living in a Residential Habilitation Center in Medical Lake. WA state was looking at reducing their institutions and worked to ensure that every person in an ICF/IID (Institutional Care facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities) that wanted to do so, could live in non-institutional community settings.  Many of the disabled individuals had lived there since their earliest years, some almost form birth were now in their 70's and had never experience what it could be like to live in a place of their own choosing. For some clients and their families, it was unthinkable that they could live successfully anywhere else.  Others decided to leave the institution and thrived in their community setting, making plans, and choices they had never before experienced.  I also recognized the familial type relationship between caregivers in the facility and clients consciously ensuring the client's happiness and well-being came first.  

Next, I became a case resource manager for individuals on the Basic Plus and Core waiver.  These people either lived with family members or lived in residences with up to 3 other people, while receiving staff support for personal care and developing independent living skills to the best of their ability.  At this point, my children and I were able to meet and interact at community events with some of the people I had worked with on my caseload.  My own neuro-divergent children had easy interactions with some and took delight in the things they were doing.

Over the next few years, I managed other caseloads and became an active participant in our office morale group called the F-Troupe, and co-lead fund-raisers such as Relay for Life, Flamingo Flocking, PEEP shows (peep dioramas in the spring), and in office yard sales. I also created "desk drops" for holidays where each person in the office received a treat or memento associated with holidays and helped to organize employee appreciation events.  I worked in Quality Assurance as a Performance Quality and Improvement worker and even was an Interim QA manager for a few months.  These opportunities really expanded my view of the "Big Picture" of DDA's effort to put people first and the many ways that we worked to "transform lives."  I has some stellar supervisors who mentored me and encouraged me to seek roles where I could have an impact on programs within DDA.  

I recall one interview in particular when I was asked what I thought I could contributions to the position.  I remember saying "I am a nice person."  At the time, I thought, "well that is a stupid answer, Lisa. No one is going to hire you because you are a nice person." To my delight, they did hire me despite my "nice person" answer.  They took a chance that beyond nice, I had leadership skills and was capable of developing the expertise to become a DDA waiver Program Specialist, which position I have held and enjoyed for the past 9 years.

This role is challenging, constantly adapting to changes, often without detailed guidance, and is integral to the function of DDA waiver programs.  I provide training, counsel, support to staff, supervisors, and community members related to Washington Administrative Code and DDA waiver policy.  It is a team-based collaboration with cohorts throughout the state and with the head-quarter management teams. Authority is delegated from the regional administrator to evaluate and render decisions pertaining to waiver programs and services. Locally I work with the Quality Compliance team, the payment specialists, the Community First Choice (Medicaid funded personal care) specialists, employment specialists, the regional resource developer, our regional fair hearings coordinator, our office staff, our Field service administrators, the regional residential resource team, the regional clinical team, my fabulous co-waiver specialist, and our Deputy Regional Administrator who is "my boss".  In other words, I worked with everyone at DDA.  This has provided multiple opportunities to use and develop my skills to work alongside many wonderful and talented people in providing the infrastructure to support persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  And it has been very fulfilling.

So, when I received congratulatory remarks on my retirement from Washington State Service today, it amused me how many people expressed appreciate for my "niceness" which they described as "welcoming" "calming" "re-assuring" "buoying" "positive influence" who "always reminded us of the person over program" and could "diffuse contention with gentleness and elegant phrasing allowing others to consider a different point of view".  As I listened to what they said, I felt happy and satisfied that I had made a positive contribution to other people in my work life, whether a client, a parent, a co-worker, a supervisor, a service provider, or another person.  And I learned that "niceness" is valued. 

I am going to miss them. Working at DDA has also "transformed my life".