BOSTON — The state Senate has agreed to inject an extra $1.2 million into a program that provides intensive resources to young adults with disabilities, with the aim of preventing costlier placements in residential settings.
The Sen. Robyn Kennedy budget amendment (#710) aims to keep up with demand for the residential prevention program run by the Department of Developmental Services and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
The Senate Ways and Means Committee proposal funded the program at $10.5 million.
Program participants ages 6 to 21 receive wraparound services to help boost their independence and support their social integration across home, school and community settings, according to a state webpage. It’s tailored for students who are receiving public special education services and also qualify for DDS services.
“For many families, the risk of residential placement does not appear overnight. It builds over time,” Kennedy (D-Worcester) said on the Senate floor.
“It builds when a parent is trying to manage complex behavioral, medical, communication or safety needs without enough support. It builds as a young person ages through the school system, and the family tries to figure out what comes next.”
As young adults transition out of the school system, Kennedy said the program can make the difference between individuals staying in their communities or ending up in a “far more restrictive setting.”
“Community-based supports through this program cost significantly less than state-funded residential placements, while still meeting individuals’ needs,” Kennedy said.
“When we invest in prevention, we are not just doing the right thing morally — we are also helping the commonwealth avoid more expensive interventions later.”