What's with DDA Funding?

 What’s With DDA Funding in Maryland?

 

Governor of Maryland, Wes Moore, has recommended $200 million in cuts to the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) budget for FY 26 as he attempts to come to a balanced State budget facing a nearly 3 billion dollar deficit.  Advocates for the disabled are working desperately to try to put faces to that cut.

Some of the larger reductions would reduce wages for care givers which are already very low for a very demanding job.   Currently, there is a wage differential for areas in which the cost of living is higher than other areas in the State.   That differential would be removed.  Funding for some specific supports for residential clients with higher intensity needs would also be reduced.    DDA also has a program which allows for guardians to be given a sum of money to purchase services for the client.  This program is known as “self-directed” services.   The legislature may choose to reduce those funds that allow people to hire and manage support staff.

There is also the low-intensity support program that provides up to $2000 for things like assistive technology, transportation or other supports.  On the table is suspension of these services but not elimination.  

Advocates say the need for such services is expanding not growing. Supporters of the cut say that DDA administration has been sloppy and there is a lot of waste. People argue that the mistakes that have been made in the administration of DDA funds should not be passed on the disabled.  Advocates say they are struggling to serve the people they should serve.   How can they be expected to meet demands with less.  State officials say the budget proposal preserves much of the progress and previous investments made for DDA services. 

Advocates respond that taking money out of the piggy bank when times get hard is hardly an “investment”    Services for the disabled in Maryland are being cut, plain and simple.