Administration committed to expanding access to high-quality services
HARRISBURG, PA – The Department of Human Services (DHS) today announced initiatives included in Governor Wolf’s 2018-19 budget proposal in support of individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism that would provide services and close a critical gap in supports to some of Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable citizens.
“For the first time families with students who will be graduating in 2018 and 2019 can have confidence that services will continue to be available to their children,” said DHS Acting Secretary Teresa Miller. “This funding not only serves an additional 800 graduating students, but it will eliminate the four- to six-month gap that often exists before these students receive services, reducing worry and giving these individuals the chance to reach their fullest potential.”
The 2018-19 budget proposal provides a $74 million increase for services for individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism. Within this total is $16 million to provide supports and services to 965 individuals with an intellectual disability or autism living in communities across the commonwealth. It also assures services will be available to an additional 800 adults who will be graduating from public school in June of 2019.
This funding will support:
100 individuals transitioning from the emergency waiting list to the Consolidated Waiver;800 students graduating in 2018 in the Person/Family Directed Support Waiver and the Community Living Waiver;800 students graduating in 2019 who will enroll in the Person/Family Directed Support Waiver and the Community Living Waiver prior to graduation to assure continuity of support;40 individuals transitioning from the interest list to the Adult Community Autism Program (ACAP); and25 individuals transitioning from State Centers to the community.
“Governor Wolf’s proposed budget would give more individuals with disabilities access to critical services that enable them to live, work, and be involved in their communities,” said Miller.
The 2018-19 budget proposal builds upon initiatives enacted during the fiscal year 2017-18 budget, which provided $26.5 million to serve approximately 1,000 individuals with an intellectual disability (ID) or autism in the community, effective January 1, 2018, through the Community Living Waiver.
For more information on Governor Wolf’s 2018-19 proposed budget visit budget.pa.gov.
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