We are happy to report that Governor Murphy signed the final FY19 Budget and it includes a $20 million appropriation to address the Direct Support Professional wage issue which we have advocated for throughout the year. As Chair of the Coalition for a DSP Living Wage, The Arc of New Jersey made Direct Support Professionals our number one budget priority and this is the second year in a row that the final budget included increased dollars from what was originally proposed by former Governor Christie and now Governor Murphy. Ensuring Direct Support Professionals are paid appropriately will continue to be a high-level goal for our organization. This funding will be distributed via the Departments of Human Services (DHS), Children and Families and Labor and Workforce Development. We were also successful in amending the budget language so that the funds that go through DHS will become part of the rate. This means that rates that involve a Direct Support Professional (such as respite and day habilitation) will see an increase, but we do not have any details at this time about how much the rate will go up or when. Please keep in mind that changing the rates will not take effect immediately and that the process of altering rates is both complicated and lengthy. We will provide updates as soon as we know more.
Also in the final budget is $19.8 million in State funding for home and community-based services. This funding will receive a match from Medicaid. While in years past we were able to provide a more specific breakdown of how the funding will be spent, with the shift to fee-for-service the Division of Developmental Disabilities is not providing that detail in order to be more flexible and fluid as the system transitions. The FY19 Budget also includes $8.5 million for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) services for Medicaid-eligible youth. This appropriation will help New Jersey families by covering a range of behavioral and physical supports.
We would like to thank all of the families, self-advocates and stakeholders who participated in our advocacy efforts throughout the year. We would not be successful without your voices so please know how grateful we are for your help.
As one final request for the fiscal year, we ask you to please participate in the action alert below from the Coalition for a DSP Living Wage. It is important, after any advocacy victory, to acknowledge and thank the legislative leaders who fought on behalf of people with I/DD and their families and helped make our efforts a success.
Wishing you all a wonderful July 4
th
holiday and a great summer.