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Charles County delegation warned proposed DDA cuts could reduce services for hundreds
Summary
Springdale Center executive director Donna Retzlaff told the Charles County delegation Feb. 6 that the governor's proposed cuts to the Developmental Disability Administration (DDA) would reduce high-intensity supports and could affect roughly 500 county residents; she urged legislators to use local counts and advocacy to mitigate the impact.
Delegate Deborah Davis and members of the Charles County delegation heard Feb. 6 from Donna Retzlaff, executive director of Springdale Center, about proposed reductions to services administered by the state Developmental Disability Administration (DDA).
Retzlaff told delegates the governor's proposed budget would cut about $150 million in general funds to DDA services (roughly $300 million including federal matches) and warned the changes would tighten approvals for high-intensity or "dedicated" supports such as 1:1 and 2:1 staffing for people with complex medical or behavioral needs. "No matter how we looked at it, these cuts would directly impact people with disabilities in every district," Retzlaff said.
Why it matters: Retzlaff said Springdale and partner agencies support about 500 Charles County residents through a mix of residential, day and employment services; she described how stricter approval rules and proposed service caps could force people into institutional care or long hospitalizations if community supports shrink. She introduced a case example, "Jane," a resident who requires 24/7 staff for medical needs, to illustrate those risks.
Details from the presentation: Retzlaff cited additional line-item estimates she said are in the proposal, including about $54.2 million in total funds (about $27.1 million in general funds) for one reduction and a separate proposed cap she characterized as roughly $132 million in total funds and $66.1 million in general funds that would limit combined services for some individuals. She warned these changes would raise administrative burdens for providers and jeopardize staffing stability.
Retzlaff also said Springdale is coordinating with statewide advocates, naming the Maryland Association Community Services (referred to in the discussion as MAX) and its executive director Laura Howe, working in Annapolis to seek alternatives and restore funding.
Response from the delegation: Chair Delegate Deborah Davis asked for concrete local numbers so members could better advocate in Annapolis. Retzlaff said agencies could provide a service-level breakdown and waiting-list counts and estimated the local total at about 500 residents supported currently.
What's next: Retzlaff invited delegates to visit Springdale Center and offered to follow up with detailed counts. Delegation members acknowledged the request; no formal vote or legislative action was taken at the meeting. The delegation asked staff to collect and submit local data to aid advocacy before upcoming budget actions.
