Monica Burke serves as an agency representative on the Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council through her role with the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), where she is the Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Director. She joined the Council in 2020 and brings both professional expertise and personal connection to her work.

Monica was already familiar with the Council before joining, through her previous work with the Parent Coalition at The Arc of Whatcom County. She has also used Council resources to support families, including her own. “I was familiar with the Council from my previous work with the Parent Coalition at The Arc of Whatcom County and have used many of the great tools the Council has produced (such as the Informing Families bulletins and Charting the Life Course tools) to help me support my son with developmental disabilities and to help support other families I work with.”

During her time on the Council, Monica has served on the Public Policy and Membership Committees. She has been involved in interviewing prospective members and contributing to the development of the State Plan.

Monica’s work at DOH focuses on strengthening systems of support for children and youth with special health care needs and their families, including many with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Through her role on the Council, she is able to stay connected to the experiences of families and self-advocates across Washington. “Being on the Council helps me to hear directly from families of children with IDD and self-advocates about their experiences and priorities.”

Her involvement with the Council has also strengthened connections between systems and planning efforts across the state. “Being a part of the Council has really helped to enhance our work at DOH and connect with the larger DD community.” She shared that participating in the Council has helped align DOH’s Maternal Child Health planning efforts with the DD Council’s State Plan, creating more coordinated and informed work.

Looking ahead, Monica is excited to continue contributing to the Council’s work and building relationships with fellow members. “It is such a pleasure to get to work with the Council. It is such an amazing group of people dedicated to making things better for people with IDD in Washington.” She added, “I look forward to working on the new state plan and getting to know the new members and their priorities in the coming year.”