The Governor’s
Executive Budget for Fiscal Year 2006-2007 – Department of Public Welfare
(the “bluebook”) budget breakdown is available online at www.dpw.state.pa.us,
keyword: bluebook. The mental retardation budget starts on Page 281.
Upcoming Appropriations Committee Hearings regarding the Department of Public
Welfare’s budget are scheduled for:
- March 2, Pennsylvania House of Representatives
- March 8, Senate of Pennsylvania
The bluebook offers a more detailed breakdown of funding initiatives and proposed budgets. Those impacting the Office of Mental Retardation (OMR) include:
- Changing needs for individuals enrolled in the Consolidated Wavier – $1.747 million state. $3.232 million federal,
- Standardized statewide assessment implementation – $1.712 million state, $1.712 million federal,
- Intermediary Service Organization Vendor/Fiscal Model – $1.7 million state, $1.7 million federal,
- Alternative administrative entities – $100,000 state, $100,000 federal,
- Competency-based training to fulfill requirements of waiver programs – $133,000 state, $133,000 federal,
- Daytime activities for 300 special education graduates – $1.091 million state, $1.301 million federal,
- Expansion of employment pilot projects for transitioning youth – $193,000 state, and
- Enhancement of service coordination and targeted service management through employment of 120 additional staff – $2.689 million state, $1.878 million federal.
The Intermediate Care Facilities for the Mentally Retarded (ICFs/MR) include a two percent inflationary increase in per diem costs, additional funding for waiver costs, Philadelphia Bond/Loan costs associated with the construction of a 174-bed new ICF/MR, and the six percent assessment. The average daily per diem will increase to $314.54. There are seven programs converting to waiver funding, impacting 54 individuals. Current ICFs/MR statistics serving 2,581 individuals:
- 205 certified facilities,
- 187 serve between four – eight people,
- 18 serve more than eight, and
- The largest serves 299.
During 2005
a law was passed assessing private and public ICFs/MR six percent on all services
provided in the state. This will generate a total assessment for 2006/07 of
$32.991 million – $17.5 million from private facilities and $15.491
million from public facilities. The assessment dollars are to be used to provide
home and community based services to individuals currently on the waiting
lists.
For additional information contact Linda Drummond at PCPA.
