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Patrick Cites Community First & Disability in State of Commonwealth
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In giving his last State of the Commonwealth speech, Governor Deval Patrick delivered a strong and robust summary of the past seven years citing his Administration's work in guiding the state through a global economic meltdown yet emerging with stronger schools, a welcoming business environment, more people receiving health insurance than anywhere in the nation, a booming tech sector; and to the delight of the disability community he cited major achievements of importance to the disability community.
Early in his speech, Governor Patrick was applauded by the Chamber when he stated:
Today, we're helping people with disabilities earn a living in the workforce with dignity and to live independently because "Community First" is a reality, not a slogan. And children whose families need it have the most comprehensive autism coverage in the nation."
For the disability community, Patrick's speech represented a bit of a watershed moment, where the concerns of people with disabilities became a key and prominent feature of a Governor's State of the Commonwealth, having moved through this Administration as a top priority, and not an afterthought as in prior administrations.
With respect to the disability issues cited by Governor Patrick in his State of the Commonwealth speech, ADDP, The Arc of Massachusetts, MFOFC and BIAMA-MA will be seeking to build upon his House Two investments by seeking greater support for Community First funding for Autism Waiver Waiting lists & Autism Resource Centers, Community First Funding to implement Employment and Residential Services for people with brain injuries and further support for DESE/DDS programs that keep kids in their homes; as well as the additional $6 million needed to implement the crucial DDS/Arc/DDS Blueprint for Employing People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
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