More than 300 Turning 22 students (those who graduate high school requiring adult services) are left out of Governor Patrick’s 2009 budget blueprint.  The state estimates 607 students will be in need of adult services through the Department of Mental Retardation (DMR) but the budget of $6.1 Million is $4.5 Million short of projected service costs.  Other adults and children also face bleak possibilities for services.  No funds were allocated for the waiting list, residential service rates, employment and family support. 

We are pleased that the governor included $23 Million in a salary reserve for contracts purchased by Health and Human Services.  This amount is the same as last year’s appropriation.  The account includes language that allows EOHHS to use some of the reserve dollars to address low rates.   This is covered more broadly in our full report. 

Other cuts include:

$543,000 in community residential services

$1.5 Million in facilities (state schools)

$400,000 in state operated services

The community residential cut means that the appropriation will actually be less than what was available in FY’08.  The cuts in the state school and state operated accounts reflect an underfunding of labor agreements.  The actual dollar amounts of those accounts are slightly higher than FY’08.

The Arc applauds Governor Patrick’s first bold step to provide community services for elders and individuals with disabilities with a $45.8 Million allocation (4000-0650 Community First Initiative).   The initiative will particularly target those in nursing homes.  This initiative mirrors the changes that continue to take place at services provided through DMR and reflects a commitment to implement Olmstead planning for all individuals with disabilities regardless of age. 

In addition to restoring cuts in the DMR budget ($4 million), the following are needed investments:

1. Turning 22—$10.6 million for 2009 with annualization including adequate support for employment services
2. Maintain and increase Salary Reserve
3. Family Support and Respite of $3 Million
4. Autism Services of $2 Million
5. Residential Rate Initiative $10 Million
6. Adult Waiting list for residential services to increase $5 Million
7. DOE/DMR program - $1 Million
8. Pass Senate 65 to develop a rate setting system for EOHHS community services

On January 30^th, the annual Distinguished Citizens Ceremony will be held at the Great hall of the State House beginning at 11am with Joe Shortsleeve of WBZ-TV.   After the ceremony (about 12:45 or 1pm), The Arc will be organizing visits to legislators and fact sheets will be available.  If you can participate, please notify your house member that you will be coming that day and we will assist with the visit as desired.

In addition, The Arc is working with Association of Developmental Disabilities and Massachusetts Day Habilitation Coalition to maintain the present Day Habilitation program and secure a rate increase.  A hearing will be held on March 5 at the UMASS Medical School’s Hoagland Pincus Center in Shrewsbury at 10am.  An average rate increase of 5.52% has been proposed.  Advocates hope that administration officials will consider a higher rate since costs in fuel, health insurance and other areas have experienced sharp increases.  Further, the rate process usually takes more than 2 years which means that this increase must apply for an extended period of time.   Those interested in participating should contact their service provider or lisa@arcmass.org