Increases in ID Waiver; Waiting List Initiative Funded
June 28, 2012

The current budget agreement reflects an increase in state funds in the Intellectual Disability (ID) waiver line item by $48.8 million. The increase is comprised of $31 million in supplemental ID waiver funding and $17.8 million in state funds for an Intellectual Disability Waiting List initiative and the settlement agreement in the Benjamin case.

The $31 million increase will allow the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) to drop the high cost case review initiative and avoid a implementing a rate adjustment factor on residential services. Legislative language for the ID Waiting List initiative specifies funding for 700 graduates of special education and group home and employment services for 431 sons and daughters of parents over 60 years old on the Emergency ID Waiting List.  The implementation of the Benjamin agreement will enable another 100 ID state center residents to move to the community during the next fiscal year. In the current economic climate, this represents a huge win for the intellectual disability stakeholder community.

There continue to be serious issues related to proposed fiscal code language that institutes new reporting requirements on service providers and work continues on these issues. More information will be shared when available. Further questions may be addressed to Anne Leisure.

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