DDS chief: Group home consolidation won't mean service cuts
DDS Acting Commissioner Sarah Peterson on Tuesday described the consolidation as a 'one-time right-sizing of our existing capacity, so that we can be really intentional about how we move forward for growth.' Still, Peterson stressed the agency is not cutting services for vulnerable residents.
'We discovered that there were a number of places where there had been vacancies, where there hadn't been new referrals accepted in, et cetera,' Peterson said during a budget hearing in Worcester. 'And so we asked our areas and regions to just take a close look and see if there were ways that we could shift things around so that people wouldn't lose services, but we could more efficiently use our existing capacity.'
A Healey administration budget brief mentioned the effort, saying it is intended to 'more efficiently utilize existing housing and staffing infrastructure.' The brief said DDS 'will work closely with individuals and families to identify appropriate placements and carefully transition clients as needed to ensure continuity of care.'
Sen. Jo Comerford, vice chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, said the consolidation represents 'about a $19 million expected cut to the budget.' The Northampton Democrat pressed Peterson on how many group home residents will be affected.
Peterson told Comerford she would follow up with data about affected individuals by region, though the acting commissioner pegged the total number at 'well under 100.' In another cost-saving measure, Peterson said DDS also updated a policy to ensure the state is no longer paying for 'extended vacancies' at group homes.
'I'm not talking about short-term absences. I'm talking about months — months and months-long vacancies in homes that are not being filled,' Peterson said. 'And we need to, you know, make sure that we're getting value for what we're paying for those services.'
The restructuring comes as the administration eyes investments into other disability services.
Gov. Maura Healey's proposed budget recommends $116 million for the Turning 22 classes, which supports young adults in their transition from special education to adult services, in fiscal 2025 and 2026, Peterson said.
'Each year, the Turning 22 program supports an increasing class of individuals, with the FY '26 class anticipated to be over 1,500. In addition to the increased enrollments, we've also seen an expansion in the number of individuals with a diagnosis of autism and increased acuity across the board,' Peterson said. 'The governor's House 1 proposal increases the adult autism line by 20% to support the significant expansion in the number of eligible individuals.'
Peterson, in response to a question from Rep. Chynah Tyler, said Healey's budget recommendation would allow DDS to 'meet the needs of our service population.'
Disability advocates with The Arc of Massachusetts called on lawmakers this month to inject more dollars into the Turning 22 account, as well as boost pay for direct support professionals, to tackle wait lists for services.
'I'm going to believe that the funding is adequate for the Turning 22 program,' Comerford said later in the hearing. 'I have to say that that is the greatest pain point in my district. Hands down, no question, that leap to 22 and the services that families are offered in Western Mass. has really been challenging.'
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