Families and advocates press committee for funding to trim DSPD wait list; lawmakers hear requests but take only technical motions

Dozens of family members and disability advocates pressed the Utah Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee on requests to reduce the state’s DSPD wait list and to fund supports for people who remain waiting.

Parents and grandparents described day‑to‑day caregiving demands, aggressive or medical needs, and the daily risk of leaving an adult family member without sufficient supervision. Hillary Clark, a parent who said her son Hunter has Kabuki syndrome, autism and epilepsy, told the committee her son has been on the DSPD wait list six years and needs constant, skilled supervision. Christine Humphreys, a grandmother, described her grandson Dane, who is profoundly deaf and autistic, and the family caregiving burdens and travel times to specialized services.

The speakers urged the committee to fund a multi‑part request from the Division of Services for People with Disabilities (DSPD). Angie Pina, director of DSPD, and staff outlined a request that DSPD presented as three…