Did you know that Washington is a Work First state? This means that every person, no matter their ability, deserves the opportunity to pursue meaningful work and live the life they want to live.
Skagit County’s Developmental Disabilities Program exists to foster inclusive communities that support people with developmental disabilities to fully participate in and contribute to all aspects of community life. One of the ways that we do this is by providing the Bridges Program for Skagit County transition-age students (18-21 years old) who are enrolled in a school-based transition program.
Bridges is a no-cost program designed to ensure that transition students are connected and familiar with the services and resources they can utilize to receive long-term support to achieve their employment goals. They are also connected with a supported employment provider who helps guide them through a person-centered planning process to identify long-term and short-term goals, and to help them navigate applications to a variety of agencies who can fund employment supports once a student graduates.
The ultimate goal is for a student to be employed in a job that fits their interests and skills by the end of their final year of transition.
Want to know more about how you can be involved in the Bridges Program? Contact Jen Smith, Skagit County’s Transition Specialist, at (360) 416-1520 or jrsmith@co.skagit.wa.us.