Save Our Choice: Protect Self-Directed Supports in Missouri

Please save SDS

By giving people the supports they need, they will develop the skills to become more independent as adults. If not they are unable to become independent or to care for their own needs. Pay some now or more later. Invest in people's futures.

Please do not cut the budget for Self-Directed Services. My 23 year old daughter has Down Syndrome and lives at home. SDS allows up to give her the help she needs.

Please do not cut SDS funding!

Please do not take away these resources for families who NEED THEM! Support all lives and disabilities, give everyone a fair chance at a successful, independent life!

It is believed that these proposals collectively violate Olmsted rights. It is also believed they want to fund agencies more with malicious intent, as they are fully aware that there is a workforce and infrastructure issue, that affects many areas of availability for various services including PA. Also it's important to mention, many service coordinators push families to get self-directed support, because they could not help find families the help they need. Many times, families are told they don't get the help that they're looking for because there's a lack of availability, that also goes back to a severed system, that legislators do nothing to fix. Some legislators are good, but there are many that are wicked and they need to step down because they are not fit to serve. So the fact that, they want to fund agencies more, while trying to block people who are payees or power of attourney, is causing a setup so that the state, will get more money back at the end of the year because the state gets whatever is not spent, sent back. Then it is not reallocated back to the original budget of DMH. Then somebody in the government decides how it's going to be spent And whatever their interest. Some in legislation and other departments, know that many people cannot access help to go out into the workforce in a normal work cycle because of the lack of availability with PAs or those who will be able to work those schedules. In addition, they're trying to literally decrease funding today habs which are essential to help the person with life skills and socialization, to enhance self-determination and also provides an avenue for parents to try to go out and work wherever they can if a schedule is available in that area of availability. Parents, guardians and all caregivers who Care for their loved ones, worked tirelessly and selflessly. But often our stigmatized, devalued, dismissed and dehumanized by many in state government, and other related departments. This is unacceptable and

I am a PA for a serverlt disabled young man. It's already hard on us, and taking away even more will ruin us. Let us care for these guys.

These services need to be protected! So many families depend on them for reliable care for their loved ones and others for income. Special needs people already face enough challenges! Getting quality services shouldn't be one of them!

This will directly affect my adult daughter who has developmental delay and autism. She is a participant in the SDS program so she can be living independently with assistance. I am her designated representative and guardian. I employ 4 people that work with her so that she able to live her life in her home. She had a placement with an agency in the beginning and it was frought with problems and delinquent workers. At that time she would have behaviors weekly. Now she is doing so very well and because of this program and our determination for her success with routine and natural supports from myself and her stepfather, she is doing better than ever. I am extremely worried these cuts would upend our lives and I feel it’s extremely unfair to take away from this vulnerable group of citizens and their families and caregivers.

Self Directed care services are Critical to keep our most vulnerable population as engaged in our community and as safe and independent as possible. Cutting wages for for the most critically needed work force is not the way to serve our most vulnerable citizens. There are other areas in the state budget that surely have more fraud, waste & abuse than the system that provides services primarily to the disabled & the aged! What happened to the promise that these people would not be effected by the Medicaid cuts...especially not be the FIRST to be cut!

Please keep funding as is. Families and individuals depend on these services. Restricting family envollment with more restrictions hurts the individual. Using services like group homes, agencies and nursing homes is not the answer for these individuals and this would cost the state more money.

I am employed through SDS. I have a family to support. I can not afford a drop in my wages.

My daughter is 24 and has Downs Syndrome and is non-verbal. I am a single parent and her caregiver. This is my main income. The proposed changes to Self Directed Services would be devastating to our household.

These services are necessary. Anyone who believes in decency and a healthy community knows this.

Please do not take my child's benefits away. He is 22 with Down Syndrome and Autism. He is and will always dependent on us or someone to care for him.

This change directly effects my family. We have 2 people who receive services and 2 who are employed. No one can afford a pay cut.

Please reconsider. We need to protect our most vulnerable. Otherwise we are sociopathic

Start thinking about ALL of your constituents! We have had it with your favoritism towards the already privileged.

Desperately needed program!

Please keep this funding,