We the families, community providers, support coordinators, advocates, and individuals with developmental disabilities of this state, urgently request the Florida Legislature to protect individuals with developmental disabilities and their families receiving DD waiver services from any further funding reductions. During the 2007 Regular session, legislation was passed to address deficits, increases in utilization, and serve people on the waiting list that is resulting in extensive service reductions, service eliminations, and capped services for individuals with developmental disabilities and families receiving DD Waiver services. Already this summer, 4,000 notices of service reductions and 9,500 notices of service eliminations have been sent to individual with developmental disabilities and families. Special session was called to reduce a one billion dollar budget shortfall and budget reductions from all state agencies will be considered. Additional funding reductions to the DD waiver system will further jeopardize the health and safety of individuals with developmental disabilities.

Sponsor