Jessica Thomason, executive director of the Human Services Division at HHS, previewed items in the Armstrong administration’s executive recommendation that aim to expand home‑and‑community‑based service (HCBS) options.

Thomason said the executive proposal includes funding for targeted rate increases for qualified direct‑care providers, a new host‑home service within the developmental disabilities (DD) waiver and continued implementation work for a cross‑disability waiver focused on children with non‑residential needs.

Why it matters: Expanding HCBS options and raising provider rates affect capacity, provider sustainability and where people receive services. The committee will consider whether to fund those additions as part of the biennial budget.

Details in the presentation:
- The agency described a $5.3 million item for targeted provider rate increases (noted as part of medical services in the executive recommendation but relevant to HHS implementation).
- The agency proposes a host‑home service in the DD waiver to create an additional non‑institutional housing option for people who need stabilization and supported living arrangements.
- Continued work toward a cross‑disability waiver for children was described as an ongoing implementation effort; the Cross Disability Advisory Council has begun planning steps and the agency will bring further detail in section hearings.

Thomason framed these investments as aligning with the housing‑and‑services continuum: increasing capacity on the community side of the continuum can prevent unnecessary placements into higher‑acuity institutional settings. She emphasized coordination between the Human Services Division and Medical Services teams on implementation and noted that two of the three HCBS items appear in the medical services budget from an appropriations presentation perspective.

Follow‑up: Committee members will hear medical services and human services division directors in coming hearings for line‑by‑line discussion, cost‑to‑continue estimates and implementation timelines. No formal votes were taken during the overview.

Ending: The agency asked appropriators to consider the proposals as part of broader HCBS and workforce strategies and said more detailed budget and implementation materials will be provided in section hearings.