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