Thousands to March Across the State to Support Californians with Developmental Disabilities Facing Largest Delay ($1 billion) in 2024-25 Budget
Media Contact:
Christie Hight
TASC Development & Communications Director
Email: chight@taschq.com
Direct: (775) 980-7983
Rebecca Bogdanovic
PathPoint Director of Development & External Affairs
Email: Rebecca.Bogdanovic@pathpoint.org
Direct: (805) 863-3353
Los Angeles, Calif. (May 21, 2024) Stakeholders are calling for a community rally on Friday, May 31, 2024, to raise awareness about a current proposal in the Governor’s budget. This proposal would delay the final stage of service provider rate reform implementation by one year to 2025-26. With an ever-increasing shortage of direct care staff, this delay threatens to destabilize the support system that people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities rely on to live safely and successfully in our community.
In Fiscal Year 24-25, more than 465,000 Californians with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD) will rely on state services - an increase of more than 35,000 individuals served this Fiscal Year. The Department of Developmental Services contracts with 21 Regional Centers throughout the state to coordinate services and provide the support that people with I/DD and their families need to thrive. Due to years of chronic underfunding, the system is failing. The direct support workforce is leaving the field due to low wages, essential programs are closing throughout the state, and individuals are struggling with inadequate supports or going without supports altogether.
This is one of the largest proposed delays or cuts in the Governor’s 2024-25 state budget. The proposal provides $612.5 million in General Fund savings in 2024-25. The reduction in General Fund spending would also reduce federal reimbursements by $408 million, resulting in a total reduction of about $1 billion from planned spending in 2024-25. This is juxtaposed by the fact that the number of people served through California’s Department of Developmental Services is only growing.
A coordinated rally took place on May 21, 2024 at the State Capitol Building in Sacramento (see video from that here), and rallies are planned on Friday, May 31 in Los Angeles, West Covina, Orange County, and San Diego.
WHAT: Rally to raise awareness for state funding delay for Californians with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities
WHEN: Friday, May 31, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
WHERE: Van Nuys State Office Building (6150 Van Nuys Blvd.), Van Nuys, CA 91401
WHO: A coalition of individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, their families, allies of the disability community, local Regional Centers and nonprofit service provider organizations representing the state’s network of 21 non-profit regional centers, service providers from Association of Regional Center Agencies (ARCA), Avenues, CA APSE along with the LA Coalition of Service Providers, California Community Living Network (CCLN), California Disability Services Association (CDSA), CA TASH, Creative Minds, K & L Care, PathPoint, Integrated Resources Institute (IRI), The Adult Skills Center (TASC), The Arc and UCP California Collaboration, The Lanterman Coalition, and other community groups.
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Individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities are supported by the above-mentioned service providers and are expected at the rally. Attendees are asked to wear blue to show their support.