SPECIAL LETTER

FROM: BEVERLY A. H. BUSCEMI, PH.D STATE DIRECTOR OF DDSN

RE: DDSN BUDGET UPDATE

DATE: APRIL 21, 2010

Last week the Senate Finance e Committee (SFC) worked on their version of the state budget for FY 2010-2011. The budget they adopted for DDSN is very good and is similar to the House budget in many ways.

The SFC budget reduces DDSN’s base by $21.9 million or 15%. This is significantly less than the 28% base reduction in the house version. Similar to the House Budget, the SFC uses two provisions to appropriate match able state funds back to the agency. Proviso 90.18, Health and Human Services funding, appropriates $21.4 million to DDSN. This funding continues many essential services to children and adults in every service area and every disability group served by the agency.

In addition, just like the House, $1.25 million is earmarked to restore Early Intervention Services to At-Risk 3-5 children that were cut last December. While it appears likely that these services can continue, the budget process is not over. Official communication about these important services will be sent the first week of May.

The second proviso is Proviso 90.21 which appropriates $19 million to DDSN. These matchable state funds, along with those in Proviso 90.18, enable DDSN to maintain ARRA compliance. These funds will also allow the agency to maintain other essential services such as family support, respite, day/workshop services, TBI/SCI post-acute rehabilitation and more.

All of the funding in these two provisos, Proviso 90.18 and 90.21 are very important but this is one-time, non-recurring funding that we will have to spend on ongoing, recurring services. As I stated in our last budget update, this is very good news but it is not a permanent fix. The outlook for next year is still not any better. We have a lot of work ahead of us and difficult and unpleasant decisions in preparation for the future and to meet critical service and waiting list needs.

In the meantime, we are very appreciative of the SFC’s leadership and help to allow many vital services to continue. We are grateful for the king manner in which DDSN services were made a priority of the state. Everyone worked together to benefit people with disabilities.

 

 

 

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