Below you will find a link of state elected officials and state leadership to contact. You can click the links or scan the QR codes in the post.
There are also two letter templates for you to use to write to state delegates and senators.
I will also be sharing this information on a social media post!
If this format is not accessible, please email me at DomTheAdvocate@gmail.com or connect with me via social media or my site’s Contact Form!
Resources to Advocate Against DDA Cuts:
Find Your Maryland Representatives
Tell our state elected officials and leaders that you do NOT support the massive cuts to the disability community!
THIS IS TIME SENSITIVE! PLEASE ACT NOW!
Votes are taking place THIS Thursday, March 12th, in the Maryland Senate Finance Committee.
Lives are at stake — especially those with higher support needs!
Governor Moore’s 2027 proposed budget CUTS $155.4 MILLION DOLLARS from the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA).
If it passes through the Maryland Assembly:
The TOTAL cut will be $310.8 MILLION DOLARS! Federal funds match state funds 50%.
The Governor’s proposed budget requires the legislature to approve it. It’s why it’s SO crucial for you to contact elected officials and state leaders.
Many don’t realize how dangerous these cuts will be for the 20,000+ individuals receiving DDA services. Individuals who are the MOST vulnerable in our state will be affected!
DDA is a state agency that provides services, support, and resources for people of all ages with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).
It allows individuals to live the life that they choose with the services and support that it provides. This allows them the ability to live healthy and independent lives!
They are many types of intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD)! Some examples are Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism, and conditions requiring 24/7 care.
It’s a broad term, just like disability is!
Maryland defines it as a severe, chronic disability that’s likely to last forever and happened before the age of 22. As a result, independent living isn’t possible without help, continued support, and other services.
These supports and services prevent individuals from being placed in institutions, improve quality of life, guarantee safety, and provide a way to choose the care that they need — and want!
DDA services are critical for individuals to live the life they want, have choices, stay at home, and be a part of their community.
DDA offers two models for individuals to do this: self-direct services (SDS) and provider managed services.
When you choose to self-direct your services, you take responsibility for hiring staff, developing your budget, and other responsibilities.
Provider managed services also support an individual’s care and needs. A person chooses a DDA approved agency. The provider handles hiring staff, the budget, and other responsibilities.
Both models allow people with disabilities to live with dignity!
BOTH models are facing HUGE budget cuts!
What are the 3 cuts being proposed?
- Dedicated Hours
- Budget
- Wages
Can you explain more about these cuts? Yes! Please read below for an explanation about them — including how much is being cut.
- Dedicated hours are hours for an individual who requires a higher level of care in a provider-managed home. It allows them to get 1:1 or 2:1 staff care. An example of a provider-managed home is a Community Group Home where multiple people with I/DD live together.
The cut will limit those staff hours by requiring training and changing the policy that has existed.
It’s unclear what the new policy will be. This is scary for people who cannot live without it!
Providers and Coordinators of Community Services (CCS) would also require training on how and when hours are used. A CCS is a professional who helps people with I/DD with their services, their plan, and coordinates support.
State Cut: $27.1 million
Total Cut: $54.2 million
People Affected: 3,800 and 200+ providers
This affects ONLY the provider managed model.
- Budgets are created yearly to make sure that vital services are included and paid for.
Every year, an individual will work with their team to create a person-centered plan (PCP). It’s a written plan of the services and supports needed to meet an individual’s needs. It also focuses on the things needed to help them have a good quality of life. The budget is based on these unique plans.
The cut will restrict yearly budgets to $500,000 per person.
To get a budget approved that exceeds $500,000, it will take seeking an exception.
Only about 820 individuals have a budget that exceeds $500,000. If they do NOT receive an exception approval, they will LOSE their services.
These are individuals with highly complex medical and behavioral needs whose lives depend on their services!
State Cut: $66.1 million
Total Cut: $132.2 million
People Affected: 1,600
This affects BOTH models.
- Individuals who self-direct can hire staff and pay them the wages they want based on their budgets and within state guidelines. They are the decision makers.
The cut will bring MAJOR changes to staff employed by individuals who choose SDS.
Self-directed staff wages will have a HUGE reduction of 30%. Last year, they already experienced big cuts in pay with budget cuts.
They want to replace the current wage system by basing it on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Little information is available about these pay rate changes.
This proposal does NOT factor in the intense workload, existing shortage, and training that staff have. Staff who work these jobs are direct support professionals (DSP).
Many people who work in the direct support professional field are women, immigrants, or people of color. This will severely affect their lives.
They love their jobs and want to keep them. The same way that people want to keep the staff that they love and know!
Staff members deserve a livable wage! There are often few benefits involved for people who work as caregivers in the SDS field.
The tasks that staff perform are NOT things that just anyone can do. Each individual has unique needs that staff must understand. Often, individuals who have extremely complex medical or behavioral needs will choose SDS.
The cut will ELIMINATE wage exceptions. A wage exception allows a staff member to get a higher level of pay that.
It’s NOT EASY to get a wage exception, and there MUST be a justified cause.
Some reasons for it include: being in a rural area, specialized training, the intensity of the support needed, or staff certifications. These are just a few examples!
These pay cuts and elimination of the wage exception will lead to MASSIVE staff shortages.
Not only does it affect staff, but it affects the individuals.
Without staff, they can end up in an institution. They depend on their staff to live independently! The purpose of self-directed is to allow people with I/DD to be decision makers. None of these decisions on wages take this into account.
State Cut: $62.2 million
Total Cut: $124.4 million
People Affected: 4,000+
This affects ONLY the self-directed model.
What is the best way to express to legislators that I don’t support this?
- Please use the links at the top of the post or scan the QR below. It’s a contact list of politicians voting on the budget, state leadership, and more!
Not sure what to write? I have templates you can use for emailing. They’re linked at the top.
- It’s important for you to contact your district elected officials too!
Districts are mapped out areas that elected officials represent either at the local, state, or federal level. It’s okay if you need help to find out who they are!
You’ll find that information by clicking the link that says “Find My Representatives” at the top and on the contact list. The link is from the Maryland state government, so you’re safe to enter your information!
Remember, they represent you! Make sure they’re aware you do NOT support these cuts
What are some important things I can do to advocate against these cuts?
- Contact the Maryland Senate Finance Committee TODAY to let them know why these cuts will HARM people! You can find their contact information on the contact list. Use the link at the top or scan the QR code to email and call.
- Use my contact list to let our state leadership and elected officials know why you don’t support it. Not sure what to write? I have templates you can use for emailing. They’re linked at the top.
- Attend the “Rally to Save DD Services” on Thursday, March 12th at 12 p.m. noon at Lawyer’s Mall in Annapolis.It’s being held by the Maryland Disabilities Coalition. Click HERE to find out more information. PLEASE attend if you can!
- Speaking up is vital right now with the upcoming budget vote. Email and call as many as you can! It’s absolutely CRUCIAL to speak up NOW!
What else can I do to help?
- Beyond emailing and calling, it’s important to ask people you know to reach out! Ask your friends, family, and networks to reach out!
- Another important way to help is to SHARE this information! The Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council, The Arc Maryland, and Self-Directed Advocacy Network Of Maryland (SDAN) all have resources for you to use!
- Please share this post and my social media posts on Facebook and Instagram! The more people who are aware, the better!
After fighting against a massive budget cut last year, I know how upsetting it is to advocate again.
That’s why we need everyone to use their voices again to ensure these cuts do NOT pass!
The lives, health, and independence of individuals with I/DD are in jeopardy. Individuals are at SEVERE risk with these cuts!
Maryland must REMAIN a leader in disability rights!
Marylanders with intellectual and developmental disabilities are depending on people like YOU to speak up!
TAKE ACTION NOW TO PROTECT THE MOST VULNERABLE!
The Girl in The Pink Wheelchair 