Fain honored as Budget Champion by developmental disability advocates

Published 10:18 am Monday, July 20, 2015

For the Reporter

Sen. Joe Fain, R-Auburn, recently received the Arc of King County Family Coalition Budget Champion Award for his efforts to protect historic investments in services for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

“As a leading advocate in the Senate for employment for individuals with developmental disabilities, Sen. Fain has dedicated his support, making it a priority for his caucus,” said Joe Cunningham, coordinator of the King County Family Coalition for Developmental Disabilities.

The award was presented at the King County Parent Coalition summer picnic and follows the passage of a budget in the state legislature that protects services for 4,000 families in need of respite care and employment support for 1,000 individuals with developmental disabilities.

Fain also co-sponsored legislation for a savings program (the Able Act) for individuals with various disabilities as well as a bill to support affordable housing near transit centers, a priority for helping house individuals with disabilities near bus services.

“Sen. Fain is a strong supporter of employment services for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities,” said Margaret-Lee Thompson, a director for the board of the Arc of the U.S.