ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council is urging residents to attend a rally to oppose proposed cuts to developmental disabilities services.
The event, titled “Rally to Save DD Services,” will take place at Lawyers Mall in Annapolis on Thursday, March 12 at 12 PM (Noon).
Once again, DD services face big budget cuts. Organizers are calling on supporters to join the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Coalition at noon to send a message:
“We Can’t Go Back – We Won’t Go Back.”
Participants are encouraged to wear red and be ready to advocate. All are welcome, and those who arrive early will have additional opportunities to be seen by lawmakers.
The schedule for the day includes:
- 9:30 to 10 AM: Stand on Lawyers Mall to greet legislators as they walk to the State House.
- 9:45 AM: Take a seat in the gallery of the House or Senate on the 2nd floor of the State House as the sessions begin.
- 10:15 AM to 12 PM (noon): Stop into legislators’ offices to deliver your story. Organizers said participants will be contacted soon with more details and a guide.
Those arriving early may have time before the rally begins and may be able to find somewhere to sit in the House or Senate buildings or grab food or drink nearby.
How to prepare
Anyone who plans to enter the State House, Senate, or House buildings must bring a state-issued ID, as entry is not allowed without it.
Participants are asked to wear something red.
If bringing a poster or sign, remember that sticks and poles on the signs are not allowed.
Attendees are also encouraged to plan for parking in advance. Paid parking is available near Lawyers Mall at:
Proposed budget cuts
According to the flyer, the governor’s proposed budget includes $155.4 million in General (State) Funds and $310.8 million in Total Funds (State + Federal) cuts to the DDA Budget.
The proposed cuts would include:
Change the Dedicated Hours Policy:
Cuts $27.1 million in General Funds; $54.2 million in Total Funds.
- Changes existing policy and rate structure to reduce access to 1:1 and 2:1 staffing.
- Mandates training for providers and Coordinators of Community Services staff on the dedicated hour policy.
- Estimated to affect 3,800 people and 200 or more providers.
Impact: This cut would result in the loss of dedicated (one-on-one or two-to-one) staff for many people in three services – Community Living Group Home, Community Living Group Home Enhanced, and Supported Living.
Reduce Self-Directed Wages:
Cuts $62.2 million in General Funds; $124.4 million in Total Funds.
- Reduces the reasonable and customary wages allowed under self-directed services by aligning wages with the Bureau of Labor Statistics data used to set community provider rates.
- Eliminates the option of a wage exception.
- Estimated to affect all 4,000+ people who direct their services.
Impact: This cut would result in the inability to pay higher wages for people who need to do so in order to hire and retain staff.
Cap Individual Budgets at $500,000:
Cuts $66.1 million in General Funds; $132.2 million Total Funds.
- Establishes an annual cap of $500,000 per person for services in their plan.
- Requires an exception process in order to get federal approval.
- Estimated to affect 1,600 people with budgets over $500,000.
- Of those 1,600, about 820 people have services that actually cost more than $500,000 and would lose services if they don’t get an exception.
Impact: This cut would affect people with the most complex medical and behavioral needs, both in the self-direction and the community provider models.
Organizers say DDA services are vital to supporting Marylanders with developmental disabilities to live, learn, work and play in their community. The 1999 Supreme Court Olmstead decision said people with disabilities have the right to get services in the most integrated setting.
They say the proposed cuts threaten the system that makes that right a reality in Maryland.