SearchGovernor Newsom released his 2020-21 budget blueprint. The budget projects a one-time windfall of revenue despite the challenges of the pandemic; however, the governor’s budget hedges against a possible revenue shortfall in the following year/s. The proposed budget will now be debated by the legislature and a final budget will be sent to the Governor for approval in June. Below is a summary of the governor’s proposed budget and its impact on Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families:
Regional Center Services
The proposed budget estimates regional center caseload growth to 368,753 clients and a total budget of $10.5 billion. Budget highlights include:
• Extends the provider supplemental rate increases to December 31, 2022, instead of the existing elimination date of December 31, 2021.
• Similarly, extends the suspension of the mandated 14 furlough days (aka Uniform Holiday Schedule) to December 31, 2022.
• Creates a new Community Navigator Program to partner with Family Resource Centers to increase access and outreach to underserved communities.
• Creates new Emergency Preparedness/Response Coordinators in each regional center.
• Expands the Systemic, Therapeutic, Assessment, Resources, and Treatment (START) Services.
• Greatly expands supports and resources for individuals with IDD that are involved with the criminal justice system.
• DOES NOT propose any investments to fund the $1.4 billion underfunding to regional center service as identified in the 2019 DDS Rate Study.
Pandemic Response
The Budget includes $211.7 million ($150.4 million General Fund) to address COVID-19 impacts on the developmental services system. Funding supports utilization increases for purchase of services above base funding levels and direct response expenditures for surge capacity at the Fairview and Porterville Developmental Centers and other operating costs in state-operated facilities.
Family Resource Centers and Community Navigators
The Budget includes $5.3 million ($3.2 million General Fund) for the Department of Developmental Services to contract with family resource centers to implement a navigator model statewide. The navigator model would utilize parents of individuals in the regional center system to provide education on resources, advocacy, and mentorship to other parents of individuals being served by the regional center system. The purpose of navigators is to increase service authorization and utilization in diverse communities, furthering health equity within the developmental services system. Funding includes resources for a one-time independent evaluation focused on improving the effectiveness of existing disparity projects.
SSI/SSP
The budget includes no increase for the State Supplemental Payment (SSP). Effective January 2021, the maximum SSI/SSP grant levels are $955 per month for individuals and $1,598 per month for couples. The projected growth in the Consumer Price Index is 2.2 percent for 2022. As a result, the maximum SSI/SSP monthly grant levels will increase by approximately $17 and $26 for individuals and couples, respectively, effective January 2021.