 These three organizations ask the legislature to invest in the most cost effective and pro-family program in the DDS budget. |
We live in tight fiscal times where budget makers look to cut spending at every opportunity, however one line item in the Governor's House One FY 16 budget that has been cut is one that merits more investment, not less.
Line Item 5920-3000, DDS Family Support & Respite Services is the state's program that provides in home therapies, respite relief for parents with limited support systems, nursing supports and Family Resource Center. FY 16 House One cuts $5 million from this line item on top of other recent 9C and recession cuts.
This program serves 11,000 individuals and their families keeping families together and either delaying (for years in many cases) or preventing out of home placements, which often cost 50 times or more than the cost of family support programs.
There are over 34,000 people served by DDS. Of those individuals, over 20,000 live at home, while more than 10,000 live in state supported residences including Shared Living, private provider and state owned residences, adult foster care or independent supports.
While Residential Services are critically needed by those who need those services, dollars can be saved by helping families stay together as long as possible by relatively small amounts of Family Support dollars.
Thus the cutting of Family Support, at any level, needs to be countered.
ADDP, The Arc of Massachusetts and Massachusetts Families Organizing for Change are asking House and Senate Members to add $15 million to this line item.
The line item appears to have an increase because the Governor has lumped in Adult Autism supports in this line item. We are urging the Legislature to create a separate Adult Autism Line Item 5920-3011; and restore Family Supports and Respite Services that were cut by 9Cs, House One and recession cuts.
In past years, House Ways & Means Budget Chief Rep. Brian Dempsey and House Speaker Bob DeLeo have taken the lead and either restored or increased Family Support and Respite Services; however their good deeds last year were reversed by 9C cuts. Respectfully, we look to them again for compassion, wisdom and leadership in restoring and increasing this line item.
Urge your legislator to support this request by clicking here.
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House One Cuts 1000 Families From Family Support
Your Neighbors
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Respite and Family Supports Delay or Prevent Out of Home Residential Placements Saving Limited Tax Dollars.
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Keep Families Living Together.
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