Governor's FY13 Budget Reflects Commitment to DDA

Here are some highlights of the DDA budget request:

• Reversion of the underspent $28.5 million in general funds would support an estimated 300 additional individuals in the Crisis Resolution. These funds would be disbursed over three years ($6.5 million in FY13; $9.5 million in FY14; and $12.5 million in FY15),

• The budget includes $15 million in continued funding through the alcohol tax of FY 2012 and increases for FY 2013,

• $8.9 million in general funds for a net increase of $15.7 million to increase rates for DDA providers (approximately 2%),

• 6.2 million in general funds for 608 Transitioning Youth,

• $2.6 million in general funds to strengthen and expand resource coordination (most going to Health Departments),

• $1 million in general funds to provide for a housing initiative in collaboration with the Mental Hygiene Administration, and

• $765,000 in general funds to serve an estimated 40 additional people through the Waiting List Equity Fund

• The Governor also proposed a non-lapsing Developmental Disabilities Trust Fund into which unspent funds budgeted for DDA will be deposited at the end of each fiscal year. This account will ensure that DDA keeps its resources and can spend any surplus responsibly, especially as the agency transitions to a modern financial system.

We want to applaud the efforts of Delegate Jim Hubbard, our long-time champion in the House of Delegates, along with Delegate Heather Mizeur of Montgomery County, for drafting a letter to the Governor requesting restoration of the reverted funding to the DDA. In addition, our very special thanks to District 21 Delegate Joseline Pena-Melnyk, District 22 Delegates Tawanna Gaines, Anne Healey and Justin Ross, District 23A Delegate Geraldine Valentino-Smith, District 23B Delegate Marvin Holmes, District 26 Delegates Veronica Turner and Kriselda Valderrama, and District 47 Delegate Jolene Ivey. Be sure to thank them for their support of the Maryland DDA.