Change is hopeful. The Arc of King County/King County Family Coalition has posted a job opening announcement for the Advocacy and Outreach Coordinator. (KCFC Coordinator Job Description) My hope is that whoever is hired for this position can truly see there is a need for a continuum of care and that we all need to work together for the betterment of the whole.
I hope the new coordinator will be willing to have open and frank discussions with all families without ostracizing those with the highest support needs;
I hope the new coordinator will be willing to tackle reviewing the newest data and research regarding family quality of life;
I hope the new coordinator will be willing to talk about health and safety issues;
I hope the new coordinator will be willing to acknowledge that some people choose to live in supportive communities and this choice needs to be honored and respected;
I hope that the new coordinator will see that those with intellectual disabilities are not a homogeneous group that can be lumped into one category;
Most of all, though, I hope the new coordinator will honor and respect the choices of those with intellectual disabilities, their families and guardians, in making the choice that is right for them.
All this can be done within the framework of the Arc’s mission and I am hopeful that the new coordinator will be able to make this happen.
