Families, providers press finance panel to fully fund developmental‑disability services and DSP wages

Parents, people with disabilities and disability‑service providers urged lawmakers to fully fund developmental‑disability services, staffing and family supports in the governor's budget.

Speakers described multi‑decade reliance on New Hampshire's community system and said cuts would force families into crisis. "My son gives back to his community — he volunteers, works and performs comedy — but he needs supports to do it," said Tracy Long of Alton, who urged funding for the Bureau of Developmental Services and the BDS prioritized needs list.

Multiple witnesses said direct‑support professionals (DSPs) are underpaid relative to the training and responsibilities they assume. Parents and providers said that recruiting and retaining DSPs is the single biggest barrier to keeping people with disabilities living in community settings rather than institutions or family homes. "They are being offered more money in other jobs; we can't compete without predictable wage increases," said Jennifer Koludi, a family caregiver who left paid work to provide full‑time care for an adult family member.

Speakers from nonprofits and regional providers, including Northern Human Services and Lakes Region Community Services, described long waiting lists for residential placements and staff turnover that left people without consistent supports for months. "When services aren't funded adequately, families step in as unpaid caregivers — it's unsustainable," said Lisa Beaudoin of the New Hampshire Council of Churches, who also testified to statutory obligations to fund adult developmental disability services.

Several people with disabilities or their family members described how services allowed them to work, volunteer, and participate in community life. "Without these services, I'd be stuck at home," said Andrew Long of Alton, who testified about employment, volunteering and social activities made possible by supports. Caregivers and program directors asked for funding to preserve respite, family support services and the adult waiver program that allow families to keep loved ones at home.

A few presenters urged the committee to guard these lines against broader budget cuts and warned federal‑level uncertainty could amplify harm if state funding were reduced. Advocates asked the legislature to protect the DSP workforce through targeted grants and predictable rate increases that reflect inflation and market wages.

Committee members accepted written testimony and public comment and said they would weigh these appeals during budget negotiations.