Darla Helt is receiving the Community Advocacy Caring Heart Award. Darla is currently the Manager and Co-Coordinator of Clark County Parent Coalition which works to help parents and guardians become effective advocates for their family members and others who have developmental disabilities. In addition, she is very proud to have been one of the voices of strong support for the creation of the Children’s Intensive In-home Behavioral (CIIB’s) program in Washington State. The program strives to help children with developmental disabilities and challenging behavior to stay together with their families in their homes, offering a team approach to positive behavior support. Darla has a two year certificate in Leadership for Developmental Disabilities in Washington State through the Developmental Disabilities Council and the University of Washington. She relies on 20 years of experience in the field along with extensive training in cross system navigation, Autism spectrum disorders, mediation/negotiation skills, and emotional supports. Darla’s dedicated service in the community, for groups such as the Autism Cadre through ESD 112, the Community Advocacy Coalition, Living Hope Church, Autism Community Services, Autism Society of Washington and Amazing Moms' Group has earned her great respect as well as the Gould Leadership Award from the ARC of Clark County and an Innovative Services NW Employee Inclusion Award.  However, her most cherished reward is the honor of being a mother to her three sons, who are her motivating force and greatest teachers. Darla recognizes her husband, Chris as her pillar, the one that holds her up when she cannot walk, and helps calm her down when she cannot sit. Her parents, though, are who taught Darla to stand up for what she believes, to never stop trying and that love is the most important gift. When asked about the motivating factors that drive her community support, Darla said this: “It has been said it takes a village, and I dream of a whole village where we all work together for the greater good of the whole. I dream of a community where no one has to be alone, where we walk beside one another whatever we are going through – a community of true acceptance and inclusion for everyone.” When she is not working towards this goal and serving the community, Darla loves spending time with her grandsons, learning to play all over again.