2011-2012 Legislative Session Testimony

Topics for Budget Testimony

Throughout the year there are several opportunities to testify, sometimes on bills and often on the budget. In late fall, the administration holds its budget hearing. In March we have The Arc/MDDC Legislative Reception and around the same time, the House Ways and Means Committee holds its budget hearing. Later in the spring, the Senate does the same. We have posted the topics below to help you as you plan your remarks about service needs. There will be other opportunities throughout this session to share your story related to a budget line item. Here are some topics related to long term support services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities:

• Implementing Community First: this requires the DDS residential line items along with DDS employment/day or MassHealth day habilitation for clinical services. These line items also assist adults who have lived their entire lives with their biological families. There are two community residential line items, one of which utilizes providers or “purchase of service” and one which uses state employees. Cuts: DDS residential is short $7.75M for 2012 Rolland (Nurs. Home); funding in residential is for Community First and students Turning 22 and requires $31.9M; day habilitation requires $5M additional in “4000-“ accounts to avoid a nearly 4% cut.

• DESE-DDS and autism services are for children; the former helps a child or teen stay with his biological family through the age of 22 years (or until late teens), while the autism account helps the family address a child’s behaviors and related conditions at an early age. Cut: DESE needs $8M and language in 7061-0012. Our request is $1.5M above the Governor’s request and reflects historical spending.

• The day/employment and transportation accounts are utilized by adults who continue to live at home or transitioned through Community First. For those at home, these services are the main supports an adult receives from the state. It typically gives parents a break for the day or allows them to work. $2.7M is needed for FY’11 Turning 22 students.

• Family Support/Respite services are for adults and children. In recent years most children have lost use of this program due to cuts. For those with loved ones at home it is an essential support and very cost-effective. In addition to respite or in-home assistance, staff at family support centers provide training, help with planning and give referrals for community resources that can complement public services. Cut: Thousands of people are at risk of losing family support services and day supports this year. A reduction of more than one-third on top of the $10M cut in 2010 mean that families who have an adult son or daughter living at home or those with children who need assistance will have little if any help. Our request addresses this year’s $14M cut in House 1 and includes $4M cut in 2010.

• Adult Foster Care (AFC) is a growing alternative to residential programs. It allows adults to move in with other adults or families and share their lives. It is the most cost effective residential option although it requires supplemental funding from DDS for individuals with higher needs for assistance. The AFC program also has an option for families who have an adult family member living with them. The modest family stipend allows for respite, transportation and social activities. We need to restore $4M to 4000 accounts for AFC.

• Turning 22 helps students who need adult services make the cross-over from special education. The $5M is not adequate for year 1 and annualization requires $19.9M. Young people with disabilities who graduate from special education programs across the state may simply drop off the public “radar screen”, and then they AND their families face a nightmarish test of survival and uncertainty. There is no transfer of dollars from local cities or towns or Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Allocate $8M for T22 and language for $19.9M for 2013.