DDS says 65 people have moved under STEP; 21 provider transformation plans approved and $78.6 million spent from ARPA

The Department of Developmental Services told its ARPA advisory committee that 21 private providers have approved STEP (Supporting Transformation to Empower People) transformation plans and that 65 individuals have moved to more independent day, employment or residential settings under the initiative.

The update, delivered during the committee meeting, outlined the range of transformation plans — from a recent Resources for Human Development plan to move a single person from a congregate residential setting (CRS) to an individual apartment, to larger plans such as Kennedy Collective’s effort to move dozens of people into more independent employment settings. Department staff also reported $78,600,000 in ARPA expenditures tied to STEP, provider stabilization payments and related initiatives over the past two to three years.

Why it matters: STEP is part of Connecticut’s use of American Rescue Plan Act funds to expand community-based services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The department framed the work as both a service-delivery shift and a communication effort to make options clearer to families, providers and legislators as the ARPA spending period draws to a close.

Details from the meeting - Plans and outcomes: Committee materials and staff remarks said 21 private providers have approved STEP transformation plans; one provider plan (Eastern Community Development Corporation, or ECDC) remained under review by the department’s regional resource administrator. Staff described a broad mix of plan types: residential-focused, day- and employment-focused, and blended approaches. The Resources for Human Development plan discussed in the meeting centers on moving one individual from a CRS into an apartment and using assistive technology and team-based transition supports.

- Transition counts and targets: Staff reported 65 successful transitions to date. The advisory committee was reminded that initial targets set earlier in the initiative called for about 200 day/employment transitions and 100 residential transitions; staff acknowledged those targets will not be met and said the department is now aiming for roughly 75 people placed by the start of the new year and to exceed 100 placements by the end of the ARPA period.

- Communications and assistive technology: Staff described new communications products developed under STEP — one-page family-oriented summaries, a STEP video series and assistive-technology videos — to explain progressive supports to families, providers and external stakeholders. The Resources for Human Development example highlighted the use of assistive technology to support independent medication management and scheduled team meetings to address transition needs.

- Reimagining Day: The committee heard about a new set of employment-focused day-service options being formalized under a Reimagining Day effort. Sarah Olominek, ARPA planning manager with DDS, said the department has folded two service types into STEP planning incentives and reported 16 providers have requested to add Employment Exploration Options (EEO) and/or Employment Enrichment Services (EES) to existing day service organizations. As Olominek explained, "Employment exploration option" is intended for people in DSOs who need foundational workplace exposure in a structured setting; EES targets people already employed who need peer supports to maintain or advance employment.

- Remaining federal spending and CMS review: Staff said the department has placed two additional initiatives into its ARPA spend plan to channel remaining federal dollars to private providers and that those initiatives are pending review and approval by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The department said it does not plan to return ARPA funds but acknowledged some expenditures depend on CMS approval and on the closing ARPA timeframe.

Committee personnel notes and adjournment Committee members recognized several long-serving members and agency leaders who plan to step down. Tracy Walker, chief executive officer of Journey Found, said she is "semi retiring" and is stepping down from her CEO role; Kathleen Stahl identified herself as representing The Arc Eastern Connecticut and noted a hiring search under way for the executive director of The Arc Connecticut. Keith Lavelette, a longtime provider and committee member, acknowledged his retirement and spoke briefly to the group.

The meeting closed with a motion to adjourn made by Heather and seconded by Shannon Giacavino; the committee then adjourned.