Strategic Plan

In 2009, The Washington Center for Deaf & Hard of Hearing Youth (CDHY) was established to provide statewide leadership for the coordination and delivery of educational services to children who are deaf or hard of hearing. All activities of the center are under the authority of the executive director and the board of trustees.

There are three (3) responsibilities articulated in RCW 72.40.015 which are:

1. To manage and direct the activities for the state school for the deaf (Washington School for the Deaf – WSD);
2. To provide statewide leadership and support to coordinate regionally delivered educational services in the full range of communication modalities, for children who are deaf or hard of hearing;
3. To expand system capacity at the local and statewide level by collaborating with appropriate public and private partners for the training and professional development of educators serving children who are deaf or hard of hearing.

The Board of Trustees and the Executive Director have identified activities under each of the areas of responsibility identified above under CDHY’s direction. These activities are aligned with requirements required by OSPI and other state and federal entities. All programs at WSD shall meet the OSPI requirements under the oversight and direction of the Board and Executive Director. All educational services and collaboration activities provided through the CDHY Outreach Team support the delivery of educational services at the local district level, regional programs, and at WSD. These activities are provided through collaborative governance in coordination with Educational Service Districts (ESD), local school districts and other public and private educational settings throughout Washington State, supporting children and families in all communication modalities.

This Strategic Plan is divided into three primary sections. The first section identifies goals and activities guiding the activities of WSD. The second section identifies goals and activities for statewide support at the local level and system capacity enhancement. The third section identifies professional development goals statewide. All activities continue the work as outlined in the Report to the Legislature from the CDHY Board of Trustees dated December 1, 2010 and are in alignment with our mandate from the legislature as identified by law. The overarching theme is providing support for all children residing in the state of Washington to receive the highest level of educational services regardless of where they live and where they choose to attend school – whether at the local district or at WSD. Additionally, support is provided to local districts, children and families regardless of the communication modality the family has selected.