Governor's Budget Delivers on DDS Funding

Governor's Budget Delivers on DDS Funding!

Family Support Programs Increased by $2.5 million

In tune with the DDS' emphasis on helping families keep their loved ones in their own homes, the Governor increased funding for Family Support programs that provide respite support, in-home therapies and other critical services and supports that often makes the difference between keeping families together or needing to seek out of home placements.

ADDP Legislative Luncheon
Wednesday
Jan. 29, 2014
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Honoring All House and Senate Members
&
2014 ADDP Legislators of the Year
Senator Cynthia Creem
Rep. David Linsky

Major Victories:

257 Residential fully funded
Family Support increased
Employment Blueprint funded at $5.5 million

For consumers, family members and advocates who have been waiting years for good news, there is some major good news in Governor Deval Patrick's House Two FY' 15 Budget recommendations.

Most notable is the Governor's fulfillment of the State's obligation to fund rate reform for DDS Adult Long Term Residential (ALTR) rates under the provisions of Chapter 257. The Governor has announced that new rates will be paid starting on April 1, 2014 and the funds needed to annualize that increase for FY' 15 are fully funded in his budget.

For those who have been toiling in the disability field for many years, the delivery of funding for ALTR rates represent a victory that has been a long time coming. In effect, residential rates have gone 25 years with no increase to base budgets, while the cost of living has increased over 102% since 1988 - the last year of a base rate increase.

The additional monies will be welcomed by the underpaid residential workforce because it will increase their salaries. It will also be used to strengthen programs by having revenue available to address systemic problems, such as:

agency infrastructure needs,
clinical supports and nursing oversights,
equipment and technology needs,

This funding will also increase or improve the following:

staff ratios to address community integration and individualized activities,
health benefits, and
staff training.

Blueprint Funding Receives $5.5 Million Down Payment

Advocates concerned about employment programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities were pleased by the Governor's down payment of $5.5 million to begin the process of moving people from sheltered workshop programs into more inclusive Supported Employment Programs and Community-Based Day Support programs.

In order to implement the recommendations of the DDS/Arc/ADDP Blueprint for Success, the Legislature will need to add an additional $5.6 million in FY' 15 or face the alternative of extending the state's closure of sheltered workshops by six months to a year. That could be a risky strategy that might invite direct intervention by the U.S. Department of Justice similar to their recent Olmstead integration involvement in several other states. ADDP expects to work closely with The Arc of Massachusetts and our legislative allies to obtain the additional $5.5 million during the 2014 legislative session.

In addition to thanking the Governor for his support of these budget items, ADDP wishes to thank EOHHS Secretary John Polanowicz, A&F Secretary Glen Shor, DDS Commissioner Elin Howe and Deputy Commissioner Larry Tummino, and EOHHS Assistant Secretary Rosalie Edes for their support and willingness to listen to and be responsive to stakeholder concerns.