NJDDD: Devastating Cuts to Services Would be Unavoidable
Highlights from DDD Webinar
Thursday morning Jonathan Seifried, the Assistant Commissioner of the NJ Division of Developmental Disabilities, hosted the Division’s February Update for Individuals, Families and Providers. A major topic was the likely impact on NJDDD of proposed changes in the Federal budget and funding models.
The Assistant Commissioner spoke about a potential $342 million dollar cut in the NJ DDD Community Care Budget, an $80 million cut in the Supports Program as well as a $54 million reduction in budget at the State’s Developmental Centers.
Below are some direct quotes that highlight what was said, taken from the transcript of the webinar.
As a preface, one thing the Assistant Commissioner repeatedly stressed is that nothing has been enacted thus far, not in Washington and not in NJ.
We are sharing this because there is a lot of mixed and conflicting information being distributed. We are looking to share what we feel are the sources most likely to have accurate information. NJ DDD is one of those sources.
Transcript Highlights
DDD February Update for Individuals, Families and Providers
“While the Department of Human Services and DDD will continue to and are committed to doing all we possibly can to sustain services, devastating cuts to services would be unavoidable with this value of a reduction in federal funding.”
“We at the Division and Department don't anticipate State of New Jersey could allocate an additional $470 million in state funds to make up for that shortfall. So again, like it would be a very dramatic change to services.”
“We say this not to scare anyone, and that's the farthest thing we want to do, but we are getting very valid questions about it, and this is the reality.”
“So I think unfortunately, we would have to look at cutting rates. We'd have to look at reducing budgets. We'd have to look at a lot of different things. We're hoping none of that comes to fruition.”
“You'll want to reach out to your federal representatives to make sure that they know <your opinion> because they're the ones ultimately that are going to be voting on whatever the measures are.”
View the webinar or read the full transcript here
Our perspective?
Some say there is so much waste and fraud in the system that we have nothing to worry about. What we hear from NJDDD and others is this just not true. Cuts would impact legitimate people with legitimate needs.
We are a small community with few voters, high needs, and high budgets. That makes us easy and attractive targets. When budgets grow, we struggle to get our fair share. When budgets contract, we are often served with extra helpings of bad news.
NCSA policy is to find common ground and work with all elected officials across the political spectrum, because our children’s future matters more than political comfort.
Regardless of your political orientation, we urge you to reach out to your federal representatives — write them, call them, visit their community office and introduce them to your loved one with severe autism and say, “This is who needs your help.”
Use this link to find out who your representatives are and how to contact them.
Thank you for your support,