The 2004 Preliminary Transition Plan outlines Washington State’s approach to downsizing and eventually closing Fircrest School, a State Residential Habilitation Center that provided long-term care for people with developmental disabilities. The plan was developed in response to a directive from the 2003 legislative session to reduce the number of operating cottages at Fircrest during the 2003-05 biennium and to create a long-term strategy for closure. This shift reflected a continued trend toward community placement and away from large institutional settings, driven by both changing policy values and the rising costs of operating unnecessarily large facilities.

The plan describes a phased process for downsizing that includes identifying residents for transition, developing community supports, preparing appropriate facilities, moving clients safely, and supporting employees affected by the changes. It also includes quality assurance and professional services retention processes to ensure that residents continue to receive needed care as they move into community programs or other Residential Habilitation Centers. While focused on operational and logistical planning, the document reflects a broader shift in disability services policy toward individualized supports and community living.