Supporters of Fircrest sue DSHS

By Lisa Heyamoto
Seattle Times staff reporter

E-mail this article Print this article Search archive

Supporters of a facility for developmentally disabled adults sued the Department of Social and Health Services yesterday, claiming the state agency is trying to evict residents of the Fircrest School in an attempt to shut it down.

The Shoreline facility is home to about 255 residents, most of whom have severe disabilities. The group is asking the King County Superior Court to lift what it says is a 15-year-old admissions freeze, prevent DSHS from relocating Fircrest residents without a good reason, and allow the school to continue operating.

"If it were to close, there are no other facilities that would even come close," said Saskia Davis, whose sister has lived at Fircrest for 40 years. "To me ... the only option is to keep Fircrest open."

The group claims that DSHS plans to relocate Fircrest residents without guardian consent and close its doors in the next two years. They say DSHS is relying on a budget bill passed by the Legislature last year that directed the agency to downsize Fircrest and move residents to other accommodations.

DSHS received the lawsuit yesterday and wasn't prepared to comment, spokesman Jeff Weathersby said.

"At this point, we're digesting it," he said.

Lisa Heyamoto: 206-464-2149 or lheyamoto@seattletimes.com

Copyright © 2003 The Seattle Times Company