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The Developmental Disabilities Budget Supplement is at Risk!
Please Write your County Councilmembers Today!
The Montgomery County budget for the DD Supplement in FY25 is more than $300,000 short of what is needed to ensure providers have the capacity to support residents with developmental disabilities. The County Council’s operating budget work session is Monday, so please write your Councilmembers today!
The requested increase by providers is 4.5% and the County Executive’s budget proposed a 3% increase. There are three things that impact the higher number: transitioning youth who need support from DDA services, the increased cost of living reflected in the local Consumer Price Index (CPI), and the Montgomery County minimum wage. This is an additional $315,993 from what is proposed in the FY25 County Executive Operation Budget.
Check the comments to view a sample message to send to your County Councilmembers. The best way to get your message across is to personalize it so please adjust the body of the email to reflect your experience with the issue.
1 CommentComment on Facebook
Sample letter: Dear Councilmember [Last name], Thank you on behalf of [myself, my family member, the person I support] who is supported by SEEC, for your ongoing commitment to the over 4,000 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the County, their families, and their staff. Your support has been invaluable to our community. I am writing to express concern about the FY25 County budget, which currently includes only a 3% increase for services to individuals with developmental disabilities, well below the 4.5% needed in Montgomery County. This increase of $315,993 would support new entrants into the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) system, including over 200 transitioning youth in Montgomery County, and help match the local Consumer Price Index and rising living costs in our area. I hope you will consider this adjustment and again, thank you for your support of services that allow my family member to live a life of their choosing. [Feel free to add a personal story of what supports has meant to you or your family]. Warmly, [your name] [your address] (so they know you live in their district)
Please share your feedback before tomorrow's (May 3rd) deadline.Are you a SEEC family member or caregiver? If you haven't already, don't forget to take our family survey before the May 3rd deadline! Check your inbox for an email dated April 11th with a link to the "Together We Thrive: A Survey About SEEC Supports" survey. Thanks in advance for your feedback! #liveworkTHRIVE
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Rodney Jackson, SEEC DSP, and Arlene McCrehan, SEEC family member, testified about their lived experiences at a U.S. Senate briefing on the state of Medicaid-funded disability services. They spoke in support of a new report, The Case for Inclusion, which underscores the need to ensure state and federal lawmakers can transform signs of progress into sustainable community-based services. #Advocacy #LiveWorkThrive
5 CommentsComment on Facebook
Proud to support this effort that can improve the lives of Director Support Professionals and the awesome people they work for!
Rodney Jackson is a great DSP and great choice to testify as is Arlene!
Great to see @rodney doing big things .🙂