The Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) released their 2021 decision package that contains their budget request and budget reductions. State agencies were asked to review their budgets and look for cuts that can take place. This is because of the economic impacts of the Corona Virus. Below are the proposals that DDA submitted in the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) budget. The full DSHS budget saving proposal can be viewed at https://ofm.wa.gov/sites/default/files/public/budget/statebudget/savings/300DSHS.pdf
Budget Requests:
- Children’s State-Operated Living Alternative (SOLA): Five new SOLA homes would serve 15 children age 20 and younger on the west side of the state who are not eligible for Residential Habilitation Center admission and are not able to successfully transition to out-of-home residential placement because suitable options do not exist. ($10.7M; $5.7M GF-State; 50.1FTE)
- High School Transition Students: Adding Basic Plus waiver capacity in anticipation that 878 eligible high school graduates will seek DDA services in the 2021-23 Biennium. ($10.3M; $5.7M GF-State)
- Increase Children’s Intensive In-Home Behavioral Support (CIIBS) waiver capacity: Expand the CIIBS Medicaid waiver from 100 to 200 slots. ($8.7M; $4.6M GF-State; 13.2 FTE)
- Financial Eligibility Staff: This funding for additional staff will improve the timeliness and accuracy of eligibility reviews, application processing, and case management updates, resulting in better meeting the 45-day application processing requirement. ($6.0M; $3.5M GF-State; 27.1 FTE)
- Increase Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) Capacity: More clients are entitled to PASRR specialized services for people with developmental disabilities. DDA is required to initiate these services within 120 days of assessment. ($4.3M; $2.1M GF-State)
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Requesting purchase of PPE for both DDA staff and for in-home caregivers. ($10.3M; $5.1M GF-State; 1.9 FTE)
- COVID-19: New costs are related to dealing with the pandemic, including a state-operated facility (residential cottage) on the grounds of Rainier School and technology for remote supports for staff to maintain client contact without in-person visits. ($7.8M; $5.9M GF-State; 2.0 FTE)
- Residential Habilitation Centers (RHC) Digital Records Transformation: An electronic health record system for the RHCs is necessary to maintain compliance with federal Medicaid certification standards. ($406,000; $203,000 GF-State)
- Paper to Electronic Workflows: An electronic document management system to replace paper files is essential for staff to successfully meet client and provider needs while working remotely and to comply with federal requirements in a timely manner. ($2.3M; $1.2M GF-State; 7.0 FTE)
Budget Reductions:
- Furlough Reductions: Continuation of the Governor’s Furlough Days to achieve cost savings with two furlough days per month. (-$38.7M; -$21M)
- General Wage Savings: Continuation of the Governor’s modification of the 3% General Wage increase for EMS and WMS Positions. (-$892,000; -$512,000 GF-State)
- RHC Cuts and Rainier Closure: Staffing reductions, cottage closures and decreased purchasing at three RHCs, and Rainier School is proposed to be closed by the end of the next biennium, June 30, 2023. (-$36.8M; -$16.6M GF-State; -283.1 FTE)
- Provider Rate Cuts: A 2.4 percent rate cut would affect in-home caregivers, Adult Family Homes, respite providers, Adult Residential Care, and Employment and Day services providers. (-$34.2M; -$15.7M GF-State)
- Client Eligibility Cuts: Under this option, approximately 6,500 clients with lighter care needs would temporarily lose paid services in the 21-23 biennium, including in-home personal care, residential services, SOLA and RHC. (-$490M; -$243.8M; -112.3 FTE)
Developmental Disabilities Advocates will be working during the 2021 to reduce budget cuts and advocate for the DD community. Advocates have come together to write a principals statement that can be viewed at https://ddc.wa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Budget-Values.pdf