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The Arc Maryland is collecting stories on the impact that various bills and actions could have on individuals with I/DD and their families.

The Governor's 2019 draft budget only includes a 1% increase to Developmental Disabilities Funding for Community Based Services.  This is instead of the 3.5% increase that we need and that is mandated by the Minimum Wage Act of 2014. 

This critical funding directly impacts Direct Support Professional wages and the ability of Community Providers and individuals with disabilities to hire and retain qualified staff.  The budget also does not include any funding for Peyton's Law; a measure passed last session to create grants for schools to provide robotic technology to recovering students to attend school.  Finally, although the budget includes full funding for Transitioning Youth Services, we understand the the Transition period is difficult for many individuals.  Last year, several graduates did not connect with a provider of choice until months after graduation.  These gaps are highly disruptive to young adults and their families and we believe the transition from school to adult services should be seamless.   

Please join our advocacy efforts by clicking on the links below to share your stories!

 

Share your Story: How Have Direct Support Professionals (DSP) Impacted Your Life?

We want to hear your stories about your experiences with a DSP and how vital they are to helping you or someone you know.

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Tell Us Your “Transitioning Youth” Story!

The Transitioning period begins at age 14 to prepare students for the move from school into adulthood. Transition can be a tumultuous time for Transitioning Youth (TY) because there is so much information and it’s hard to find everything you need in one place. TY services are available to many individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities for supports and services during the day. TYs receive support to find employment, attend post-secondary school, volunteer or recreate.

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Tell Us About How Your Child Might Benefit from Technology to Attend School While They are Absent for Extended Periods

If you are the parent of a child who was not physically able to attend school and would benefit from access to technology that would allow him/her to participate virtually, we would like to hear your story. If you are the parent of a child who has used similar technology to attend school in the past, we would also like to hear your stories!

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