Recapping the positive news from the 2024-2025 State Budget. We are anticipating a six-month delay in rate increases for developmental services in lieu of the proposed one-year delay. With this agreement, the final stage of the rate increases should occur on January 1, 2025.
While any delay is disappointing, we truly believe our joint advocacy ensured that we will see some rate relief in the upcoming year. We will also see the full funding for the 2025-26 fiscal year.
We appreciate everyone who took action on advocacy this year.
TASC, as an agency, prioritized advocacy throughout the year, knowing it was going to be an uphill battle. In March, Alona Yorkshire (Deputy Executive Director), Christie Hight (Dev. & Comm. Director) and Rebecca Sforza (Specialized Therapeutic Services BCBA) were a part of meeting all 120 assembly members and senators in Sacramento through CDSA to inform and advocate for funding. During these meetings, the first letter started within the Assembly to show support of our services.
TASC also had a very large presence during the LA Rally around the Van Nuys State Office Buildings. The TASC support was strong, with unified shirts and signs that we helped distribute to other attendees.
Participants at the rally included stakeholders from various advocacy groups, clients, and supporters from TASC and other service providers, all calling on the state to reject the funding delays and ensure that essential services for the disability community are adequately funded this year.
We also submitted many letters to our elected officials written by clients and employees.
Lastly, we’ve kept in close contact with our own leaders (Sen. Caroline Menjivar (Chair, Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services) and Asm. Jesse Gabriel (Assembly Budget Chair)) by setting up various meetings, providing them tours of TASC and supporting their community events.
It has been a year of dedicated work toward advocacy. Thank you all so much for your support in these efforts; we have all made a difference together!
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