Budget Goals for FY 16

Budget Goals for FY 16

FY 16 Budget Design Will Cross Two Administrations

With all eyes focused on the campaign trail to determine whether January 2015 will bring Governor Baker or Governor Coakley to power, much work is being done behind the scenes by current members of Governor Deval Patrick's Administration and the two most likely occupants of the Third Floor Corner Office.

While current Cabinet Secretaries are working hand in glove with the incumbent Governor to facilitate a smooth transition to whomever wins, the job of putting together the FY 2016 Budget will be a tough job to complete by mid February of next year.

ADDP urges our members to contact both Martha Coakley and Charlie Baker and advise them of our key priorities as listed below.

Goal One:
Keep Families Together

To effectively help families keep their loved ones at home; and address the increasing number of aging caregivers, including 70 & 80 year old parents caring for their 50 and 60 year old son or daughter with a disability.
Increasing Family Support & the DESE/DDS Family Preservation Program helps keep kids in their home communities

Ask the Next Governor to Fund over FY 15 levels:

Line Item 5920-3000 DDS Family Support & Respite adding $10 million
Line Item 5948-0012 & 7061-0012 DESE/DDS Family Preservation Program add $2 million

Goal Three:
Support Autism Supports & Services

With the passage of the 2014 Autism Omnibus Bill, the state's definition of developmental disabilities now extends services to people with Autism, smith magenis and prader willi.
Funding is needed for autism resource centers and both kid's & adult services

Ask the Next Governor to Fund Over FY 15 levels:

Line Item 5920-3010 Kid's Autism Waiver adding $3 million
Line Item 5920-3011 add $5 million to Adult Autism Services

Goal Two:
Support Work & Self Sufficiency

People with Disabilities who wish to work seek a meaningful day program and many seek greater self sufficiency
900 students will graduate from special education programs seeking jobs and a secure future

Ask the Next Governor to Fund over FY 15 levels:

Line Item 5920-2025 DDS Employment & Day Services by adding $6.1 million
LIne Item 5920-5000 DDS Turning 22, adding $3.5 million
Line Item 4120-3000 MRC Employment Assistance add $3 million

Goal Four:
Support Chapter 257

The Legislature has made great progress in establishing rate fairness
Improved rates for DDS Residential Programs have helped retain workers and stabilize programs
Chapter 257 requires two year rate reviews

Ask the Next Governor to:

Implement two year rate reviews in compliance with the law
Ensure that all programs are fully funded at the rate set by the CHIA review process
Support Chapter 257 compliance across the EOHHS Secretariat
Work with the Representative of the Collaborative
Make Direct Support Worker Salaries a top priority