DSHS Receives National Award for Public-Private Partnership in Developmental Disabilities Services
We proudly announce that the Dan Thompson Memorial Developmental Disabilities Community Services Account under DSHS’ Developmental Disabilities Administration has been honored with the 2024 Cathy Anderson Award for Public-Private Partnership.
The Cathy Anderson Award for Public-Private Partnership, created by the Public Consulting Group and the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services, honors Cathy Anderson’s commitment to improving the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and recognizes innovative collaborations that positively impact these communities.
The NASDDDS and PCG have selected the Dan Thompson Account from various applications, and it is the third annual recipient of the Cathy Anderson Award. In 2005, the Washington State Legislature created the account to honor Dan Thompson, a person with a developmental disability and an advocate for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in our state. The account collaborates with community organizations, including both non-profit and for-profit entities, to provide a variety of supports, services, and opportunities to enhance the lives of people with disabilities.
DSHS Secretary Jilma Meneses shares her experience working on the Dan Thompson account, “The government and non-governmental partnerships are essential because if they tried to do it on their own, they would not have had the same outcome for people with disabilities.”
This award recognizes our commitment to meaningful collaborations that enhance services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It highlights our dedication to inclusive, person-centered solutions through partnerships between public agencies and private organizations.
This recognition underscores our administration’s ongoing efforts to ensure equity, opportunity, and meaningful community integration for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We thank NASDDDS and PCG for this incredible honor and reaffirm our commitment to continuing this vital work.
Watch the full-length video to learn more about the Dan Thompson Account and the people who help it make an incredible impact.