On June 30, 2026, the Conference Committee released their final version of the FY27 State Budget – and it included all of The Arc of Massachusetts’ budget priorities across the service system, including DDS, MassHealth, and DESE! This is a massive accomplishment, and we are proud of our community advocates and our team at The Arc.
These include:
- An additional $1.2 million for the DESE-DDS Residential Placement Prevention Program, bringing total funding to $11.7 million. The Arc initiated and secured this funding, which will significantly support more families in need of this vital program.
- The Turning 22 Stakeholder Commission, which is based on our Turning 22 bill, to strengthen the process for all. This language will bring key stakeholders, including those with lived experience, to the table to work through ideas and solutions to strengthen the transition process for young adults and their families.
- Funding for Operation House Call, which will sustain this vital program’s work training the next generation of medical professionals to become champions for people with IDD and autism.
- Funding for workforce training initiatives for programs serving those with complex, challenging behaviors.
- Language ensuring that no cuts will be made to PCA services until the working group, which includes The Arc, makes recommendations that addresses sustainability and preserves the importance of PCA services.
- Stronger language around Chapter 257, ensuring stability of the workforce. While funding still needs to be transferred to reach the full 53rd percentile of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we are confident that this is in process.
This year’s budget was marked by federal uncertainty and economic instability. But this final budget bolsters all of our priorities across our community: supporting younger families, transition-age individuals and families, the human services workforce, and healthcare quality and access.
This success is in part thanks to your strong advocacy, and our champions in the State House, including Chairs Aaron Michlewitz and Michael Rodrigues, Speaker Ron Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka, and sponsors Senator Jo Comerford, Senator Robyn Kennedy, Senator John Keenan, Senator Jason Lewis, Representative Susannah Whipps, Representative Ken Gordon, Representative Christine Barber, and Representative John Lawn.
Your advocacy, the record-breaking attendance at our state house events in the spring, and the passionate and persistent work of The Arc’s Government Affairs team are what secured these wins. We have more work to do before the session ends, so stay connected. Minimizing the impact of the federal policy changes and cuts will continue to be our focus, and we will need your voice.
The Conference Committee version of the budget will next move to the Governor’s desk, where it will become law. Stay tuned.
