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After long days of studying, amending and enacting last week, the Massachusetts House of Representatives has sent a $38.1 Billion FY 16 Appropriations bill to the Senate.
ADDP was extremely pleased with the efforts of the House in restoring DDS Line Item 5920-3000-Respite and Family Support, and in restoring Line Item 5920-2025-Day Hab wraps, providing feeding, toileting and behavioral supports for people in need of intensive supports in Day Habilitation programs.
We have urged the Senate to concur with these House budget improvements.
However, ADDP and our colleagues in The Arc of Massachusetts have urged the Senate Ways and Means Committee to:
 1. Fund Line Item 5920-2026 to reflect the second year roll out of the DDS/Arc/ADDP Blueprint to move people from Sheltered Workshops to more inclusive day and employment settings.
Many advocates are concerned about the state's planned closure of sheltered workshops-unless alternative settings are funded, such as Supported Employment or Community Based Day Supports.
The DDS/Arc/ADDP Employment Blueprint calls for funding to ensure that all individuals currently receiving day and employment supports will continue to receive services at the same number of hours they currently receive in sheltered  workshop programs. In recent years, various federal agencies including the Center for Medicaid/Medicare Services, U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Labor have called upon states to move away from sheltered workshops towards more inclusive employment opportunities.
As well many believe the Employment Blueprint may help the Commonwealth avoid an Olmstead Department of Justice lawsuit.
2. Consider additional support to DDS Family &  Respite Support, Line Item 5920 -3000
This line was restored and increased by the House. It is the Commonwealth's most cost effective program, saving the state on average $100,000 per consumer, when an individual receives in home Family Support Services, rather than out of home 24/7/365 residential placement.
3. Direct Mass Health to not cut Alternative Caregivers days for AFC  in home caregivers who need a respite from providing service 24/7/365.
Last week, Mass Health announced plans to cut 14 days of alternative respite care for AFC in home caregivers in an attempt to save $3.5 million ($1.75 in State General Funds).
Adult Foster Care is an innovative alternative residential choice for people with disabilities or elders, who live in the home of a primary care giver, who in exchange for providing 24/hour-7Day supports receive a payment which is substantially less than the cost of 24/7 traditional residential provider based placement. AFC caregivers, just like other family members who care for a loved one in their home, often find full time care for an elder or person with a disability to be exhausting, and cherish the limited opportunities for a break, which has been provided by 14 days of respite services allowing an alternative caregiver to come in to give AFC caregivers a break. The irony of the current budget and the Administration's House One proposal is that the House increased Respite for Family Caregivers, while the Mass Health cut would do the opposite for AFC families. ADDP urges our members and supporters to contact their Senators and urge their support of these items. With regard to the AFC Alternative 14 Day Caregiver cut, ADDP has written to EOHHS to ask the Secretary to consider suspending the AFC cut until the position of the Senate is known. | 
