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

• Families readily take on their role and require comparatively small amounts of support to help them continue. These modest funding amounts support the enormous unpaid contribution of caregivers and supplement the long term care service system in Massachusetts.

• Investing in family support provides immediate relief from the challenges of care giving and paves the way for children and adults with disabilities to continue to live with their families by building and maintaining a foundation of support to sustain their role as caregivers.

• Family Support helps avoid caregivers reaching the point where they feel helpless to continue and seek more expensive out of home options. Because of the lack of a predictable support system, many families view residential placement as their only alternative.

• Given the enormity of the national economic crisis in the past several years, funding for family support has experienced reductions.

ADDP and The Arc are currently waging a communication campaign to urge lawmakers to restore funding for this vital, efficient, and effective program.