2014 Transitions, Change and Moving Ahead 
To suggest that 2014 will be a year of a few changes would be a serious understatement. On the horizon many dramatic programmatic, funding, regulatory, key personnel and leadership changes have the potential to substantially impact services and supports for people with disabilities. Consider the list of pending changes in this calendar and the subsequent budget year:
- Chapter 257 Residential Rate Roll Out on April 1, 2014 bringing rates to a field absent of a cost of living adjustment for the last 27 years while the cost of living rose over 102%
- The DDS/ADDP/Arc Employment Blueprint which has already closed new entries to sheltered workshops
- The potential closure of sheltered workshops with expanded CBDS and Supported Employment
- The roll out of Positive Behavioral Supports
- The implementation of ONE CARE managed care for dually eligible individuals
- A new Governor who may retain DDS Commissioner Elin Howe or bring in a new leader of her/his choosing
- the pending retirement of Larry Tummino (Deputy DDS Commissioner)
- A new EOHHS Secretary
- A new Senate President with a new Chair of Senate Ways and Means
- greater federally imposed changes from CMS on the definition of HCBS
- greater pressures to further implement Olmstead.
Clearly this list barely touches the surface of pending changes. Throughout all of these changes, there has been one constant in the Commonwealth. Developmental Disability programs continue to have a strong base of support from the Executive and Legislative Branches of Massachusetts government affirming the values and priorities of the citizens of Massachusetts.  Some of the pending changes may be challenging to individuals, families and providers, but through all of our history of change, system redesign and program modification, providers have built a strong record of consumer satisfaction and responsible stewardship of crucial tax dollars; with strong and informed support from the elected and appointed officials of the Commonwealth.
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