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Department of Disability and Aging briefs committee on wait lists, foster supports, farmers partnership and rate increases
Summary
The Department of Disability and Aging told the Finance committee it seeks recurring and one-time funds to expand supports for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities in foster care, increase therapy and meal rates, address wait lists, and formalize a farmers-to-senior-centers partnership.
The Department of Disability and Aging (DDA) presented its budget package to the Finance, Ways and Means Committee, outlining proposals to expand supports for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), raise therapy and meal rates, and reduce long wait lists.
Commissioner Brad Turner and Deputy Commissioner Andy Kidd described a line item that would fund a DCSDDA partnership to expand support services and care coordination for children in Department of Children—s Services custody with IDD. Kidd said the appropriation would allow the department to serve roughly 1,600 children; Turner said "a total of almost a thousand kids have been served so far." Committee members pressed for details on enrollment, spending and capacity; DDA staff said about 795 children were currently enrolled in the program and that the agency has 1,000 slots available.
Kidd described several other budget items: a 2% increase in therapy rates for the Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS); increases for senior nutrition to address part of the wait list and higher rates for congregate and home-delivered meals (Kidd said this would address "approximately 1,800 folks on the wait list"); and 2% increases for direct support professionals (DSPs) and independent support coordinators. Kidd also identified reductions in waiver utilization and attrition dollars that reside in TennCare—s budget.
The department highlighted a new partnership with the Department of Agriculture to route fresh fruits and vegetables from Tennessee farmers to senior centers and Meals on Wheels programs. Turner said the initiative has produced local pilot videos (Bledsoe County) and the department is promoting the effort on social media.
Committee members asked about the HRA funding card used by foster families for tiered supports. DDA staff said families are typically approved for expenditures immediately and that families are capped at $20,000 per child per calendar year; staff said that cap has so far been sufficient. DDA also reported that roughly 12 children are currently being served in community homes under the program and that the appropriation would expand service from about 1,000 slots toward serving about 1,600 children.
Members also discussed use of existing community-home bed capacity. DDA staff said 44 community-home beds exist, with 12 designated for certain programs; only three residents moved in direct response to state outreach. The committee asked about the start-program respite homes funded at $1.5 million; DDA said none of that funding has been expended yet because contracts with private providers are still being completed and that the homes are intended for short (30-day) stabilization stays.
On the Katie Beckett waiver, the department said enrollment is about 4,400 (enrolled or expressing interest). Members raised concerns about occasional delays in reimbursements for families; DDA staff said they would investigate and follow up.
Commissioner Turner and deputy staff emphasized workforce and provider capacity as central constraints and thanked the private provider network for its role. The department asked for the committee—s continued support to reduce wait lists and expand services.
