Governor Hogan released his FY 2017 proposed budget yesterday, which covers the period July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017. Below you will find some highlights of particular interest to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. The FY 2017 operating budget totals $42 billion – $17.1 billion of which is General Funds (state funds). The balance for the most part comes from Federal Funds and Special Funds (revenues from a designated source). The budget analysts with the Dept. of Legislative Services will produce reports for the various budget hearings, which will provide a greater depth of information. See below for budget hearing dates.
HIGHLIGHTS
Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE)
* $18.2 million for the Autism Waiver so that 1000 children with autism will continue to receive services. This is the same amount of funding as FY2016.
* $4.3 million for public prekindergarten education – the same amount of funding as FY2016.
* $10.4 million for the Maryland Infants & Toddlers Program–the same funding level as FY2016.
* The Geographic Cost of Education Index (GCEI) was fully funded this year, after being cut last year. The GCEI is a discretionary component of the State funding formula for education that has provided additional funding to 13 local school systems since 2009 to reflect regional differences in the cost of education that are due to factors outside the control of the local jurisdiction.
* $5.7 million increase in funding for the Child Care Subsidy program. $3 million of this is General Funds. Total program funds would increase to $97.4 million, which is estimated to provide free or reduced-priced child care to 18,610 children.
Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)
There’s good news for the DDA budget:
– Transitioning Youth fully funded
– 3.5% provider rate increase
– Emergency funding increased from previous years
– People in crisis on the waiting list will be served.
A $71 million (6%) overall increase for DDA in FY17, bringing DDA’s total budget to $1,132,586,268.
FY2017 DDA increases include:
$35.7m for a 3.5% rate increase for DDA service providers. (General +Federal Funds)
$8,877,897 for Transitioning Youth services. This will provide employment or day supports for all eligible youth transitioning from school to employment or day supports in FY17. DDA projects that approximately 602 transitioning youth will be served. (General + Federal Funds)
$6,669,390 to support people in emergency situations. An estimated 161 people will receive services. (General +Federal Funds)
$5,457,858 to provide services to approximately 113 people in the Crisis Resolution priority category on the DDA waiting list. There are close to 8000 people on the waiting list in different priority categories. (General +Federal Funds)
$727,770 from the Waiting List Equity Fund to support approximately 24 people on the waiting list with the oldest caregivers. (Special Funds + Federal Funds)
$5,324,500 for Low Intensity Support Services (General Funds)
Additional funds are included to continue providing services for people who started receiving services in FY2016.
These funding increases bring the total DDA budget for community services to $1,080,862,618
Institutional Services include:
$17,561,407 for the Holly Center, $13,578,201 for the Potomac Center and $8,975,621 for the SETTs (Secure Evaluation and Therapeutic Treatment Programs)
