GO! Bulletin
2021 Legislative Investments in DD Services

On Saturday, June 26th we saw the legislature wrap up this long and fruitful legislative session.
 
We are thrilled to see much-needed investment in Direct Support Professional Wages during this legislative session. This additional funding will be a tremendous support for an area of our system that has been experiencing a staffing crisis for years.
 
The legislature has done two things to create a historic investment in Direct Support Professional wages: 
  • Starting July 1, 2021, DD provider rates will increase by 3.2%.
  • Starting July 1, 2022, the DD Provider rate model will be fully funded. This means the average DSP wage included in rate structures will go from $14.16 per hour to $17.28 per hour. 

In doing this investment, the Legislature created a budget note to explain its intent as follows: “It is the Legislature’s intent to fully fund provider rates for adult and children’s group home services, day support services, employment services, attendant care, supported living and non-medical transportation.”

  • The budget moving forward with SB 5529 (the DHS budget bill) sets DD Case Management funding at $170 million General Fund for the 21-23 biennium. Full funding would have required $190 million, but this investment covers two-thirds of the gap between the 19-21 biennium funding levels and full funding

  • After strong advocacy, the Family Networks with funding was restored at $1.4 million within SB 5529. This restoration reinstates the funding for regional networks that was eliminated in the 2020 Special Session.

For a more detailed analysis of the session overall as well as some of the bills that the Coalition followed, we will be providing an end of session report in the next few weeks.

The DD Coalition appreciates the efforts of all the legislators who have been champions for Oregonians with developmental disabilities and their families this session.
About the Oregon DD Coalition
The Oregon DD Coalition advocates for DD services on behalf of and with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, and support organizations in Oregon.

We influence DD service and community support systems and legislation by communicating with a common, consistent voice – creating better opportunities for Oregonians with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Interested in signing up for the GO! Bulletin or
becoming a member of the Oregon DD Coalition?
 1775 32nd Place, Suite F, Salem OR 97301