On Tuesday, May 7, the Senate Ways and Means Committee released their FY25 budget.
Thank you to Chair Michael Rodrigues, Committee Members, and Senate President Karen Spilka for a strong FY25 budget for our constituency. This proposal maintains important funding for the human services workforce included in the Governor’s H2 Budget and includes many additional positive developments for individuals with disabilities.
- Supports the $390 Million Chapter 257 Reserve– an important step to address our workforce crisis. We are looking to confirm additional funds from the 2023 Economic Development Plan Reserve.
- Also outlines a study to review the parity between state operated program salaries and benefits and provider salaries and benefits.
- PCA language to stop the proposed cuts to the PCA program– $113 million over House 2 for the PCA program to prevent service reductions and maintain eligibility thresholds: “provided further; that the personal care attendant program shall maintain the same eligibility criteria and level of services in fiscal year 2025 as were available in fiscal year 2023.”
- Also includes The Arc and five other groups as part of a working group to review the PCA program with goal of a report in March 2025.
- Language to allow flexibility between community line items continuesso DDS can administer flexible funds for those persons who still cannot return to employment or meaningful day services.
- Maintains the flexibility and significant allocation in Turning 22 fundsto allow for two years of graduates (FY25 and FY24) to be supported (FY24 graduates may still require services or additional transition assistance).
- Maintains funding for critical DDS line items in line with H2 with the exception of the following:
- Autism Childrens Waiver – decrease of approximately $1 million.
- State Operated Homes – decrease of approximately $2 million.
- DDS Administration – decrease of approximately $980K.
- MassHealth 4000-0601: Approximately $45 million additional to ensure the full investment in day habilitation to address people with complex needs which was initially announced in the FY24 budget.
- The budget confirms $10.5 million in DESE-DDS program reflected in 7061-0012 (Education line item).
Again, we appreciate the work of Chair Rodrigues and colleagues. We look forward to reaching out to Senate President Spilka and the Senate lawmakers as we advocate for additional gains in the days/weeks ahead.
Stay tuned to The Arc for more updates as the budget process continues.
