Fernald Final 14 Continue Holdout

EOHHS Seeks $10 Million Supplemental, and per client costs at $742,857 each

It wasn't supposed to take this long. Three years ago, in December of 2008, the Patrick Administration announced they would soon close four state institutions over four years, starting in FY 10 with the shuttering of the western hemisphere's oldest state institution, Fernald Developmental Center in Waltham.

The state's goal was to move away from an over-dependence on segregated state institutions and to improve the state's community infrastructure. The Patrick Administration's vision was later clarified in detail in its Community First Olmstead Plan detailing the state's six point plan to:

Help individuals transition from institutional care
Expand access to community based long term supports
Improve the capacity and quality of community based long term supports
Expand access to affordable and accessible housing with supports
Promote employment of people with disabilities and elders
Promote awareness of long term supports.

And as progress was made regarding institutional closure, state leaders promised that nearly $45 million saved from reducing institutional dependence would be reinvested into the community service sector. Much to the disappointment of community providers, the recession has seen the state renege on this promise and instead cut funds going to the community.

So now, three years into a four closure plan, what's the status? Fernald, has not closed, despite its target date having come and gone, though it's census has moved down over the last three years from 162 to 14 people.

Independent watchdog confirms FY13 underfunding

This week, the Massachusetts Budget & Policy Center released an independent analysis of Governor Patrick's proposed FY13 budget. Here are related excerpts from the report, which can be read in entirety online here.

Funding for individuals with disabilities barely keeps pace with inflation in the Governor's budget proposal, and does not keep pace with the anticipated need for services felt by the growing numbers of young adults leaving special education and needing extensive support services in the community.

The Administration has repeatedly stated a commitment to community-based services, but some of the line items funding community-based supports for persons with disabilities have been cut substantially over the past few years, although there continues to be a shift in funding away from the state-run institutions.

State Report Underscores Tragedy of Family Support Cuts

In February, the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services released a report outlining the significant need for an investment in Family Support Services in the Commonwealth. A link to the full report is here.

The irony of the report is this: family support programs serve 60% of all of those in DDS, but the line item that covers the family support expenses has been slashed to only 3.5% of total DDS budget.

11,000 families have been cut from Family Support services since 2009, and current budget proposals could cut 2,000 more.

Despite the cost effectiveness and economic good sense of Respite and Family Support Programs, the line item has been cut more than 35% since 2009; and if the Governor's budget recommendation is accepted then this program would be cut by an additional 11%.

The Report notes:

Across the state, more than 20,000 Massachusetts citizens are caring for a family member with an intellectual or developmental disability.

Family support is 75% to 80% less expensive than out-of-home placement (Section 4 of report). It is the service that can have the greatest impact on reducing more expensive residential demand.
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FY 13 Budget: Updates

Relevant Line Items • Full budget here • Mass Budget/Policy Center