Shapiro Administration Reduces Emergency Waitlist for ID/A Services by More Than 2,700 Individuals

Press Release from the Department of Human Services: Published October 30, 2026

Excerpt below:

Harrisburg, PA – The Shapiro Administration today announced that the emergency waiting list for intellectual disabilities and autism (ID/A) waiver services has been reduced by 2,742 individuals – or 40 percent, down from 4,592 individuals – since February 2024. Additionally, five counties – Clarion, Forest, Lawrence, Potter, and Warren – have eliminated their emergency waitlist altogether.

“When we reduce and eliminate the emergency waitlist for adults with intellectual disabilities and autism, it means they are receiving the critical services they need when they need them,” said Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (PA DHS) Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh. “Thanks to the ongoing support of Governor Shapiro and of county administrators, we have been able to reduce the waitlist for services by an unprecedented amount, and our work will continue.”