Governor spares major Cuts to Disability Services
Families/Advocates thank Gov. for values-based budget decisions
Vigil seen as having impact
Boston - October 29, 2009 - In a unambiguous demonstration of his
values, Governor Patrick today showed his commitment to protecting
the most vulnerable populations in Massachusetts.
The Governor announced that he will largely spare disability services,
cutting 1.6 percent of total funding in EOHHS (Exec. Office of Health
and Human Services), the office that includes DDS and other disability
agencies.
Facing a $600 million budget gap, disability advocates understood
that cuts to DDS could total about $70 million, a level that would
have decimated the Safety Net for more than 10,000 individuals and
families with disabilities (not to mention the similar impact of
earlier cuts). Because of the leadership of Gov. Patrick and EOHHS
Sec. Judy Ann Bigby, the cuts to DDS now equal $7.7 million.
"Families will be greatly relieved by the Governor's decision,"
said The Arc's President Frederick Misilo. "While the reductions
for DDS and other disability agencies still require sacrifices,
we understand that some level of reduction was inevitable."
"We thank Governor Patrick for using a values-based approach to
these tough budget decisions," said Leo Sarkissian, Executive Director
of The Arc, noting that education and jobs investment, in addition
to human services, were tops on the Governor's priority list. "He
clearly appreciates that vulnerable populations need to be protected,"
Sarkissian said.
Members of The Arc and our partner organizations Mass. Families
Organizing for Change (MFOFC) and the Association of Developmental
Disabilities Providers (ADDP) along with other groups held a "Vigil
to save our Safety Net" at the offices of the Governor, the House
Speaker and Senate President over the past three weeks to focus
attention on previous cuts and the potential devastation of further
reductions.
"The personal stories of those hundreds of vigilers appears to
have been heard loud and clear," Sarkissian said. "We know that
Speaker DeLeo and Senate President Murray along with other leaders
have been supportive of disability and human services in the past.
We trust that they will approve expanded 9C authority so that these
cuts will remain at this level."
Sarkissian also noted that the Governor's decision saves individuals
and families from what in the past has been an emotional roller
coaster. In past crises, severe cuts were announced only to be rolled
back once advocates were forced to rally to demonstrate just how
damaging the cuts would be in practice. The governor's courageous
decision today protects families and individuals from that trauma.
With $45 million in cuts in DDS alone in the FY10 budget (finalized
in July), about 4,000 individuals and families lost essential services,
such as Family Supports, Day/Employment and Transportation. An additional
400 individuals lost employment support through the Mass. Rehabilitation
Commission, not to mention cuts at other agencies.
The Governor's proposed cuts in this round total $7.7 million
at DDS, including $4.8 million to community residential services
and $1.5 Million to transportation. As these cuts come midway through
the fiscal year, the impact will be about double at least 50% higher
and possibly more depending on how long it takes to implement them.
The Governor also reduced state personnel at DDS by $1.38 Million
which represents a 2% reduction. The administration account and
transportation accounts had been reduced in the FY0 budget as well.
~ Press Release from The Arc, October 29, 2009.
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I receive services through Mass Rehab and the Center for Living
and Working, if those things are taken away from me I will lose
my independence. 
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