[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6626259,"mediaKeyId","2753905-ae6a195232217423b12cb78e6ce87a3b","parentId",2753905,"title","Former council member urges support for House Bill 7108 on profound autism, calls for staff pay increases","audioSeconds",209,"startMs",1455100,"endMs",1664399,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2753905-ae6a195232217423b12cb78e6ce87a3b&start=1455&end=1664","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2753905-ae6a195232217423b12cb78e6ce87a3b/thumbnail_1455100.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6626259/Connecticut/Former-council-member-urges-support-for-House-Bill-7108-on-profound-autism-calls-for-staff-pay-increases","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6626259-45e2f0cdbbb38e374c2785ad562a9891/orig.mp4?Expires=1773724821&Signature=RtFj71c9orPFA3pd0~zOvOcg4QXwgYJG3yUYD~inIONm8buEjRekq4vsBX2dh3N52K2aSF-dmK8FX7~OTByRmFNOL4M4wvs8gR4A2rxG7UBmPqk2FIKg8nn9VeLp6H-ja5OuQYLQemBXzz82y8Tn1u2aZCPrgO4djWVCl9W1jmkFvTyDVlQqrYzzA5X7q14GtSQIjO~dajuCn70xlSjN5GxFGywe5fP0Vu~B5idL6kTkrU-Z4J9ZanHBjD3vEPp2nabUjg8J9N1Mh5di~2EGZYC9SyiAj52tJA0a6hovgam7kUiI~WPm7~rCChwIheJ6ROsfCJxddj302j3kmljKUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Department of Developmental Services CT","date","2025-03-24T20:25:05.143Z","article","Adrianne Benjamin, a former council member speaking during the public-participation portion of the meeting, urged council members and families to support House Bill 7108, a measure she described as the first Connecticut bill on profound autism to reach committee consideration.

Benjamin said the bill has two main parts: a study component to better count and understand people with severe and profound autism and reforms aimed at improving abuse and neglect investigation transparency and staff training. She said the Human Services Committee unanimously supported the bill in committee, and that the next steps are votes in the full House and Senate before a gubernatorial decision.

Benjamin repeatedly encouraged council members and attendees to contact their legislators in support of the bill and to press for higher pay and provider rates. She said the bill itself does not contain rate increases and warned that training and better identification will not by themselves ensure adequate staff if agencies cannot recruit and retain direct-support workers. “There’s nothing in that bill about raising the pay or the rates for the agencies,” Benjamin said, noting market pressures including private-sector pay increases.

Council members thanked Benjamin for her advocacy. No formal council action on HB 7108 was recorded during the meeting; the presentation served as public comment and advocacy.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Council on Developmental Services Meeting Recording March 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Adrianne Benjamin, a public commenter and former council member, urged council members to advocate for House Bill 7108 — which would study and address profound autism — and warned the bill lacks provisions on provider pay and rate increases that stakeholders say are needed.","taxTitle","Department of Developmental Services, Departments and Agencies, Organizations, Executive, Connecticut","taxId",15757,"location","Connecticut","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6626263,"New ARC executive director outlines priorities for outreach, family engagement and equity",279,1792640,2071695,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2753905-ae6a195232217423b12cb78e6ce87a3b&start=1792&end=2071","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2753905-ae6a195232217423b12cb78e6ce87a3b/thumbnail_1792640.jpg","/articles/6626263/Connecticut/New-ARC-executive-director-outlines-priorities-for-outreach-family-engagement-and-equity","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6626263-000a8c9ea3663061ff0b43bcae5891dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1773724821&Signature=Jsbe6Y~DVusHCmYSwTuNZESqIc0AwC5J67F5iDl5DRai7HbD-pp8W3qFl9dJSuJhw5oI4dEvKH0u3PsrpYd3dB8gIM9j2zPiXsUM4D4MuMJWgk-XixihHZfyxhsJVb6b53PCXMMbzV4vguzrOwSdX0NHEbBsINSaol-Tf0LGDvolqUv3twlKPTiU~fPuvdYCGYz5HFMW~Ed0IxDPjF2CJ-23mTcac5dVgx5HIqe5TwOhJ5yw37x2p5ELGMvrY4c4oOOaD0u6cF9to8NPlaCkDsfXJyq4ckVpwflM0Omct4dEW0AxzlBOJIjuaOWNSJ~MJFSwxT8VVP121KhE35iiJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Siobhan McKinnon, the newly appointed executive director of the Connecticut ARC, introduced herself to the Department of Developmental Services advisory council and described immediate priorities including collaboration with local chapters, revitalizing family programs, expanding youth engagement, and outreach to underrepresented communities.

McKinnon said she comes from a social-work and advocacy background and that her leadership approach emphasizes partnership with families and providers. “I believe that collaboration and partnership is what gets you through,” she told the council, noting she has been connecting with local EDs and board members since starting in the role.

She outlined near-term priorities: aligning state-level ARC work with national priorities, expanding programming that engages young advocates, reviving in-person family gatherings such as Families for Families, and conducting strategic planning to scale programs. McKinnon also discussed outreach to Black and Latino caucuses and said she is focused on dispelling myths about who benefits from ARC programming.

Council members welcomed McKinnon. Adriana Ramirez asked about a recent town hall; McKinnon said the event focused on her background, immediate priorities, and a strategic-planning process she will use to identify next steps. Faye Lenz, a council member and ARC board member, and others praised McKinnon’s leadership and said they were optimistic about closer partnership between the ARC and DDS.

McKinnon said she will continue outreach and requested questions from council members; no formal action was taken.","Siobhan McKinnon, the newly appointed executive director of the ARC (Connecticut affiliate), introduced herself to the DDS advisory council and said her priorities include partnership, expanding family programs, youth engagement, and reaching historically underserved communities.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6626268,"DDS commissioner says agency focused on legislative requests, housing and GTI improvements",350,712400,1063399,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2753905-ae6a195232217423b12cb78e6ce87a3b&start=712&end=1063","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2753905-ae6a195232217423b12cb78e6ce87a3b/thumbnail_712400.jpg","/articles/6626268/Connecticut/DDS-commissioner-says-agency-focused-on-legislative-requests-housing-and-GTI-improvements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6626268-06a2f0a8f5ec85b4500418baaf98069e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773724821&Signature=led7reB~TIChAJ0Nthj3Y82U4SxWWCfU69G-925MEXVVLyoA4ex3e26s1EOJili5pOZBqLTO6A6DFNk-g2CxkcelG2Jj2sWkXtVyYUGZgtPiTwAALuL80okhC4f3gEkeC6v7U61FabCW8xmPY58mV3910eeKBvYsEmx0ks-plEU-unUG~GV3~zTsHltigjuwmhdVG28x~snw30FvruEqhFkHt99w84e2pQz~nmFKmXQusD6fq1Es~Sd2BRX3xUechLXcopX6JQewt1dc~TTXcl5V5lqm2sbNAhdPBANxXr1J8SvT5oxdkrP2YSKmv1hzG2y7ixYGuJsEyPICMWnCJA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jordan Sheff, commissioner of the Department of Developmental Services, told the advisory council the agency’s attention has been dominated by legislative work and efforts to find housing and higher levels of care for some individuals served by DDS.

“It’s the time of a legislative session that commissioners often refer to as the silly season,” Sheff said, describing the uncertain and fast-moving nature of bill drafts and budget negotiations. He told the council his office has been responding to legislators’ requests for information and language changes while recognizing that not all proposals will finish the legislative process.

Sheff said he recently testified before the Government Oversight Committee regarding the agency’s single-state audit for fiscal years 2022–2023. He also described ongoing work with the ombudsperson’s office and families to find more intensive residential options where needed and noted the agency has used a contracting subvendor to help manage escalation tickets related to GTI, the agency’s fiscal intermediary. He said while the GTI error rate is shrinking, some families continue to experience repeated problems.

Sheff described federal-level uncertainty — mentioning Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security as subjects in a continuing-resolution debate — and said state staff are preparing for multiple possible outcomes. He said the agency is coordinating with the governor’s office, the state’s federal liaison, and Connecticut’s federal delegation. Sheff also referenced recent Medicaid rallies and engagement by state officials.

Sheff concluded by noting strengthened partnerships with the ARC (national/state affiliate) and expressed willingness to speak one-on-one with new council members and other stakeholders to address concerns.

No formal action was taken on the commissioner’s update; it was presented as information to the council.","DDS Commissioner Jordan Sheff reported heavy legislative engagement during the session, ongoing work to address families needing higher levels of care, continued efforts to reduce errors in the GTI fiscal intermediary system, and federal funding uncertainty that could affect services.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6626272,"Council debates supported decision-making bill; asks for more analysis",148,4330880,4479110,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2753905-ae6a195232217423b12cb78e6ce87a3b&start=4330&end=4479","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2753905-ae6a195232217423b12cb78e6ce87a3b/thumbnail_4330880.jpg","/articles/6626272/Connecticut/Council-debates-supported-decision-making-bill-asks-for-more-analysis","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6626272-eac8fcd2d2262a6e08dc4d77b292168b/orig.mp4?Expires=1773724821&Signature=FLskzTcTXCEaQPjdHacaqphbTfSed4CXdah5oe0ukmoXdrnJ3yurqm3VG5Ojf3izjbyQKNEjZoIC4Jgu38WPMwp-vvqf4vsNWeuQlm~dzBmoqhpIk6Ii9NQaRqu3D~as79F59UeeHhR8qufi1TVn24tNpUN9KBZxLo1zhFD85OrB6UzZDHsC1W5CmwnZZXL5eOumrBo4~kKNPdWFdC0SwpyJY-OzdZQ-7nFHoIA4VdywVEPPn7ztGExuo2AycTf7qL7TBwol2-lmXc5kivbmBz5OxSezEMMtk35gLj~GaEJ8WEau9kv62MFNUp24HX4ThsfpYJ0t4sLKujypbQCNcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members of the Department of Developmental Services advisory council discussed a proposed supported decision-making approach during the meeting and agreed to continue the conversation at a future meeting to allow deeper review.

During the discussion, council members voiced support for the concept of supported decision-making as an additional option for some adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), but several raised questions about how it would be implemented in statute and practice. Council member Phyllis Simmer, an occupational therapist, asked how the law would ensure that an individual actually obtains the group of supporters the statute anticipates and asked where safeguards and oversight would sit. She said, “it doesn't say how the individual is going to obtain that group of people.”

Council member Michael Bellhop described supported decision-making agreements as an alternative to guardianship that lets an individual identify people who can gather information and help them make decisions while the individual retains legal authority. He added that implementation questions — whether a standard form will be used, whether attorneys must draft agreements, and how agencies will recognize the agreements — remain unresolved in the material the council received.

Several members said draft language in the materials used the phrase “in lieu of,” which caused concern because it could be read as replacing guardianship wholesale. Council member Faye Lenz noted the need to clarify that supported decision-making should be another option, not a removal of guardianship where guardianship is appropriate.

The council asked for further analysis and clarification of statutory language and implementation mechanisms (for example, model agreement forms and how agencies would accept them). Chair Patty Silva said the topic should continue at the next meeting to allow time for the coalition and subject-matter experts to provide precise statutory text and an implementation plan.

No formal action was taken; the council deferred a decision and scheduled continued review.","Advisory council members discussed a proposed supported decision-making measure, with several members urging caution about implementation details, language that could be read as replacing guardianship, and the need for model agreements and protections.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6626277,"DDS advisory council unanimously approves 2025 legislative award nominees",19,4019371,4039355,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2753905-ae6a195232217423b12cb78e6ce87a3b&start=4019&end=4039","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2753905-ae6a195232217423b12cb78e6ce87a3b/thumbnail_4019371.jpg","/articles/6626277/Connecticut/DDS-advisory-council-unanimously-approves-2025-legislative-award-nominees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6626277-be8f5052551bc755d6a5e824ded92c35/orig.mp4?Expires=1773724821&Signature=hWNuQtLAVW6gjDwGFtd6HLCMeYryJ07ncD22avG0E-kIBT7e283ac7mpcu44~YSRIGdcsHtk9mNtF-1N5wVEJhoP0QqjwWNXeUEE3sPqQTOykh8UrnO0RhgLUkMf1ViX5TUH23GC4dWPQArr0DZP7d9mhSFQkM22IrypR8Yuh~sfOfcICP8xdVsSeE~EJ9wdJBDqJWuhXes~vnwWlEdXwvfv6h~cJAsK0RclnOvUqiKLuMsMGBtRyKOqgGzUDxUdNlYze~ZhjXkPD-fAgdA32csJ2kf8cBa4Gttk3D-OSU7PvYdeHJ80MUBYMHh-koI9lEFc7ODeosWkDmSaQ6J~tA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Department of Developmental Services advisory council voted unanimously to accept the council-subcommittee’s slate of nominees for the 2025 legislative breakfast awards.

The council meeting recorded a motion to accept the nominations, made by council member Kevin Zingler and seconded by council member Damien Williams. Council Chair Patty Silva called the vote; members present voiced assent and the motion carried. The exact roll-call tally was not specified in the meeting record.

The nominations the council approved include Josh Meares for the Self-Advocacy Award; Patty Strzullo and the Hampton Inn (Buffalo Lodging Farmington) for Business Champion; representatives Tom Delnicki (Republican) and Jillian Gilchrist (Democrat) as legislative champions; Futures Kitchen for employment innovation; Metro Realty Group (Jeffrey Sager) for supportive housing/community living; and LoomAbility’s assistive-technology program for enhancing independence. Committee members said Metro Realty’s developments and Futures Kitchen’s employment programs have produced measurable improvements in residents’ independence and employment access.

The council’s approval allows the awards to move forward at the April 23 legislative breakfast in the Legislative Office Building’s Second Floor Atrium; the chair asked nominees and council members to expect further logistical details and invitations.

Council members who discussed the slate emphasized bipartisan recognition for advocacy and public-private partnerships. Kevin Zingler said the nominees were selected to reflect work happening across different municipalities and to “spark other ideas and other development across the state.” Patty Silva said the subcommittee will continue planning and asked council members to participate in the breakfast.

The council also agreed to finalize a printed legislative bookmark for distribution at the breakfast; Christine Haynes said she will send a draft for edits and asked members to reply-all with edits by the following Monday so print deadlines can be met.

No other formal votes were recorded during that agenda item.","The Department of Developmental Services advisory council voted unanimously to accept its slate of nominees for the April 23 legislative breakfast awards, recognizing self-advocacy, business inclusion, legislative champions and innovative initiatives.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Former council member urges support for House Bill 7108 on profound autism, calls for staff pay increases

New ARC executive director outlines priorities for outreach, family engagement and equity

DDS commissioner says agency focused on legislative requests, housing and GTI improvements

Council debates supported decision-making bill; asks for more analysis

DDS advisory council unanimously approves 2025 legislative award nominees