About WA Include Collaborative

Building Inclusive Futures

At WA INCLUDE, our mission is to promote inclusion, equity, and opportunity for individuals with disabilities across Washington State. We work to ensure that every person—regardless of ability—can fully participate in and contribute to their community.

Our Story

The WA INCLUDE Collaborative was founded on the belief that inclusion isn’t just a value—it’s a right. Born from a grassroots effort by advocates, educators, and families, we began as a small initiative aimed at improving access to education and employment.

Today, we’re a growing network dedicated to expanding opportunity and removing barriers for people with disabilities throughout Washington State.

Team of WA Include members

About Our Program

Our Approach

We collaborate with communities, professionals, advocates, policymakers, and organizations to create inclusive systems that work for everyone. Our programs and efforts include:

Community Engagement & Training

Hosting sessions and resources for individuals, families, and service providers.

Policy & Advocacy

Working with local and state leaders to ensure disability-inclusive legislation.

Resource Navigation

Helping individuals and families connect with the services they need.

Education & Employment Access

Supporting inclusive education and helping connect individuals with job opportunities.

Who We Serve

We support individuals with disabilities, families, educators, advocates, and service providers across Washington. Whether you’re navigating a new diagnosis, advocating for policy change, or looking for support, we’re here to help.

Group of WA Include team members

Expert Mentorship For Our Community

Meet the Team

WA INCLUDE is powered by a passionate, diverse team of advocates, educators, and community leaders. Each member of our team brings unique experience and a shared commitment to advancing equity for people with disabilities in Washington State.

Jessica Abenojar
Family Advocate
Katherine Bateman
Katherine Bateman
Applied Behavior Analysis
Eric Boelter
Psychology, Applied Behavior Analysis
Picture of smiling woman with long brown hair and glasses
Melissa Brooks
Family Advocate and Parent to Parent Coordinator
David Camenisch
David Camenisch
Psychiatry
Karís Casagrande
Karis Casagrande
Psychologist
Shayla Collins
Shayla Collins
Family
Rick Colombo
Rick Columbo
Special Education and Applied Behavior Analysis
Katrina Davis
Resource Navigation, Family Advocate, Case Manager
Ryan DeCarsky
Coordinator
Rachel Earl
Rachel Earl
Psychology
Erica Ellis
IDD Resources & Navigation Coordinator; Continuing Education Coordinator
Letha Fernandez
ECHO IDD Resources Facilitator
Ariane Gauvreau. White women with brunette hair in a white sweater and smiling.
Ariane Gauvreau
Special Education, Applied Behavior Analysis
Gina Gerardi
Gina Gerardi,
CASCADES School Liaison
Jennifer Gerdts
Psychology
Melanie Gomes
Occupational Therapy
Meseret Haile
Family Advocate
Samantha Hinger
Developmental Disabilities/Mental Health Program Consultant/ Self Advocate
Meghan Hopkins
DDA Representative
Xiaotian (Daisy) Hu
Xiaotian “Daisy” Hu
CASCADES Postdoc Fellow
Morgan Joe Sullivan
Behavior Specialist and LIfe Skills Support
Shaunte Johnson
Coordinator/Family Advocate
Tariq Karmy-Jones
Self Advocate
Heather Kulper
Program Coordinator/Note Taker
John Lemus
John Lemus
Self Advocate
Sophie Maleng
Jim Mancini
Jim Mancini
Director, Facilitator
Patti Matestic
Child Psychologist
Lindsey Miller
Lindsey Miller
Psychiatry
Cierra Milton
Occupational Therapist, HUB Team Member
Taraneh Moll
Administrator
Ben Moore
Self Advocate
Mike Mullane
Acting Assistant Professor | Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
Thanh Nguyen
Post Doc Scholar, CASCADES Co-Director
David O'Neal
David O'Neal
LMHC
Beth Ogata
Nutrition
Felice Orlich, PhD
Felice Orlich
CASCADES Founder & Co-Director
Kate Orville
Public Health and Community Partnerships
Misty Pruner
Occupational Therapist
Neesha Roarke
Child And Family Clinical Support; Psychiatry
Sennie Rose
Coordinator
matilda sampson headshot
Matilda Sampson
WA Include Logo
Sirad Shirdon
SLP
Dawn Sidell
Dawn Sidell
Family Advocate
Gary A. Stobbe
Neurology; Autism
Penny Tonn
Speech Language Pathologist

Autism care training for providers through expert-led telementoring.

Advanced autism care training for providers managing complex cases.

Utilize the innovative ECHO hub and spokes learning model to telementor clinicians.

Telementoring for providers supporting youth with intellectual/developmental disabilities.

Providing support and training in diagnostic assessment and psychopharmacology.

Be qualified to diagnose autism and write a prescription for Applied Behavioral Analysis.

telehealth to coordinate multidisciplinary care for medical, psychiatric, and behavioral needs.

Join us in transforming healthcare for underserved populations. 

We provide training, consultation, and partnership with community providers.

Connects professionals dedicated to supporting individuals with developmental disabilities.

WAINCLUDE provides education and training within a growing community of champions.

Upcoming Events

IDD, ASD, and behavioral health
ECHO IDD Wraparound
Managing Complex Cases
ECHO Complex Behavior
WA Include Logo

Autism care training for providers through expert-led telementoring.

Advanced autism care training for providers managing complex cases.

Utilize the innovative ECHO hub and spokes learning model to telementor clinicians.

Telementoring for providers supporting youth with intellectual/developmental disabilities.

Providing support and training in diagnostic assessment and psychopharmacology.

Be qualified to diagnose autism and write a prescription for Applied Behavioral Analysis.

Upcoming Events

IDD, ASD, and behavioral health
ECHO IDD Wraparound
Managing Complex Cases
ECHO Complex Behavior

Join us in transforming healthcare for underserved populations. 

Join us in transforming healthcare for underserved XXX TBD. 

Connects professionals dedicated to supporting individuals with developmental disabilities.

WAINCLUDE provides education and training within a growing community of champions.