Advocates Urge Lawmakers: Fund Developmental Disability Services

ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Developmental Disabilities Day at the Legislature occurred on Thursday, February 22 and included briefs and presentations by leaders in the General Assembly, and the Maryland Department of Disabilities. Each year, this event is hosted by the Developmental Disabilities Coalition, which includes The Arc Maryland, Disability Rights Maryland, Maryland Association of Community Services, Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council, and People on the Go of Maryland.

Ken Capone, executive director of People on the Go of Maryland introduced special guests, Carol Beatty, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Disabilities and Deputy Secretary Bernard Simons of DDA during the event. "DD Day is so important for people with disabilities" said Capone, "It continues to grow as you can see by the record crowd!"

A record-breaking crowd of over 800 people with developmental disabilities, advocates, family and staff gathered in Annapolis for the annual event. "It's unbelievable that 800 people gathered here today," said Alex Barnes, a self-advocate. "We are all ordinary people who together can do extraordinary things."

Secretary Beatty said, "I am proud of the progress we have made under Governor Hogan. This administration is willing to do the work alongside advocates, families, and service providers to achieve positive change for everyone. Because we know Maryland is at its strongest when all our residents have the opportunity to live, work and thrive in our communities."

The Governor's budget, which is currently being debated in the Maryland Legislature, includes Developmental Disabilities Administration funding for Community Services such as residential services, employment and day time supports, Transitioning Youth funding for approximately 613 Young Adults to access employment and other day time supports upon exit from high school, funding for services to individuals in crisis and with elderly caregivers, and funding for individuals with developmental disabilities aging out of Department of Social Services programs.

"We appreciate the funding in the Governor's budget that provides promise for approximately 900 new people with developmental disabilities to live and work in the community. We also realize that the success of these programs and the ability for people to access needed supports relies on community provider capacity as well as a system of funding that adequately supports people who wish to self-direct their services," said Ande Kolp, executive director of The Arc Maryland. "Our advocacy this session is focused on the restoration of 14.8 million in General funds that was not included in the budget for FY19 DDA Community Services."

The Governor's budget falls short in the major category of funding for community-based supports; funding that is essential to ensure that direct support staff don't become minimum wage workers. In 2014, the General Assembly passed legislation mandating an increase in funding to partially keep pace with inflation and the minimum wage. However, this year's budget falls far short of the mandated 3.5% increase in funding for service providers. As a result, wages for direct support staff will fall closer to the minimum wage, and people seeking community supports may experience greater difficulty in finding a provider. According to Laura Howell, executive director of the Maryland Association of Community Services, "The ability of community providers to continue to meet the needs of Marylanders with developmental disabilities is absolutely linked to the wages providers can pay to their frontline staff."

Nancy Pineles of DRM, the state’s protection and advocacy system, said, “The quality of life of people with disabilities is dependent on having well trained, reliable staff support. More than minimum wages are needed to retain qualified staff.”

"Increased funding for the DDA budget is crucial to ensuring that we evolve from a system that is mostly crisis driven to one that provides support well before families are in crisis – the result will be many more individuals with developmental disabilities having support for daily life activities many of us simply take for granted," said Brian Cox, executive director of the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council.

Following additional updates from advocacy leaders, attendees met with their state legislators for one-on-one meetings urging their support of funding for critical programs.

Laura Carr, Board President of The Arc Maryland reflected, " The developmental disabilities community has incredible strength. Together we can make a positive difference for everyone."

MARYLAND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES COALITION

The Arc Maryland · Disability Rights Maryland

Maryland Association of Community Services · Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council

People on the Go of Maryland