Last week, Governor Deval Patrick released his budget recommendations known as House Two. Click here to read more and see our House Ways and Means FY’13 request.

 See Joan Venocchi's great column on Jame's birthday and Turning 22 in Sunday's Globe,

This tough economy has been doubly hard for children and adults and their families served through the Department of Developmental Services. Some of the House 2 budget decisions will not help alleviate what families are facing. The Arc and ADDP are finalizing with other groups priorities to share with house and senate members. Here is a foreshadowing of key priorities:

• The Family Support/Respite program - request restoration of $15.5 Million which includes the 2010 cuts
• Include a salary reserve of $28 Million for direct support staff and managers
• Maintain Transportation services as a separate line item and include annual costs for this year's Turning 22 students
• Add $1.3 Million to Employment and Day Service account to cover full costs

Read House 2 Report and Analysis. 

Today's Notes from The Arc is the link to this headline.

Governor Deval Patrick has released the highly anticipated state’s fiscal year 2013 budget. The governor has stated his commitment to put communities and families first.  We have seen that in action when last summer family support and day habilitation cuts were not implemented. Even so, we will need to strongly advocate during the next step of the budget process with House Ways and Means to restore Family Support Programs ($5.5 Million cut this year, $10 Million in 2010), Turning 22 which is still stuck at $5 Million despite 710 students and a salary reserve.  Our outline covers both bad and good news.  Read more at the link.