Our services
Staff & Family Consultation
Expert guidance for family members, informal caregivers, and direct service providers who want to better understand and support the individuals they care for.
What is Staff & Family Consultation?
Support for the People Who Provide Support
Staff & Family Consultation is a DDA-funded service designed to help the people closest to an individual with a developmental disability — family members, informal caregivers, and paid support staff — develop the knowledge, skills, and strategies they need to provide more effective, consistent care.
Our consultants work directly with caregivers and providers to assess challenges, identify goals, and build practical, individualized plans that improve outcomes for the individuals they support.
Consultation can be delivered in the home, at a care setting, or in the community — wherever it is most useful for the people involved.
"When caregivers are supported, the individuals they care for thrive."
Funded through Washington State DDA — at no direct cost to eligible individuals and families.
Who we support
Three Groups We Work With
Family Members
Parents, siblings, spouses, and other family members who provide daily support and want guidance on how to better meet the needs of their loved one.
Informal Caregivers
Friends, neighbors, or other unpaid individuals who provide regular support and want to strengthen their skills and understanding.
Direct Service Providers
Paid support staff, residential providers, and direct care workers seeking consultation and training to more effectively support the individuals they serve.
Areas of focus
What Consultation Covers
Behavior Support Strategies
Understanding the function of challenging behaviors and developing consistent, compassionate responses that reduce stress for everyone involved.
Communication Approaches
Learning how to communicate more effectively with the individual — including augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) strategies.
Crisis Prevention & De-escalation
Identifying early warning signs and building proactive strategies to prevent and de-escalate difficult situations.
Caregiver Wellbeing
Addressing caregiver stress and burnout, and building sustainable support practices that protect the wellbeing of both caregiver and client.
Transition Planning
Supporting families and providers through major life transitions — such as changes in living situation, school-to-adult services, or shifts in support needs.
Team Coordination
Improving communication and consistency across the individual's support team — including family, providers, and DDA case managers.
How it works
The Consultation Process
Referral & Intake
Consultation begins with a referral through the individual's DDA support plan. We conduct an initial intake to understand the situation, the people involved, and the goals for consultation.
Assessment
Our consultant observes, interviews, and gathers information to develop a thorough understanding of the individual's needs and the challenges the caregiver or provider is facing.
Consultation Plan
We develop a structured consultation plan with clear goals, recommended strategies, and a timeline — tailored to the specific caregiver or provider and the individual they support.
Ongoing Sessions
Regular consultation sessions provide hands-on coaching, skill-building, and problem-solving support. We adjust the plan as needs evolve and goals are met.
Who qualifies
Is This Service Right for You?
Staff & Family Consultation is available when the individual being supported has been determined eligible by Washington State DDA and their support plan includes this service.
If you are a family member, informal caregiver, or direct service provider supporting a DDA-eligible individual, speak with their DDA case manager about adding consultation to the support plan.
This service may be right for you if:
- Supporting a DDA-eligible individual in Washington State
- Staff & Family Consultation included in the individual's DDA support plan
- Seeking practical strategies to improve care and support
- Open to working collaboratively with a consultant
Let's Work Together
Whether you're a family member navigating a difficult situation or a provider looking to strengthen your practice — we're here to help.