Developmental disability subcommittee plans roadmap, resource fair and flags fewer local residential beds
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
The developmental disability subcommittee described plans for a Tompkins‑specific roadmap, a fourth annual resource fair and outreach to local partners; cochair James Beaumont warned Tompkins County has roughly 80 fewer residential beds than pre‑COVID, increasing wait times.
James Beaumont, cochair of the developmental disability subcommittee, told the Community Services Board the subcommittee will adopt a structured set of topics for 2026, expand outreach and host a fourth annual resource fair to connect residents to local service providers.
Beaumont said the subcommittee is creating a Tompkins‑specific "road map" to guide residents through OPWDD eligibility and local service options, emphasizing both a physical resource packet and an electronic version to be posted on the county's website. "We want it to be Tompkins County specific," he said, adding the document will outline steps from diagnosis through service access and list local agencies that can help.
He flagged two operational pressures: fewer local residential placements and concerns about state funding. "We're about 80 less beds residentially in Tompkins County than we were pre COVID," Beaumont said, which he said has contributed to longer wait lists and fewer timely placement options. He also reported a bleak outlook for OPWDD's budget in 2027, though he said advocates are seeking a targeted inflationary increase of about 2.7%.
Beaumont described an upcoming resource fair intended for in‑person outreach at Boynton Middle School and a plan to invite providers and stakeholders to present at subcommittee meetings, including an ADA presentation for camp requirements. He said the subcommittee has engaged county staff (Harmony Elvord) to post resources and intends to produce both an online and printed resource list so people without internet access can still receive help.
Members raised operational suggestions and gaps: a board member encouraged renewed coordination with 2‑1‑1 for centralized indexing of developmental disability resources; Beaumont said 2‑1‑1 has limited capacity but that the county web page can host the new roadmap. Jessica Connor and others noted diagnostic gaps, with the nearest autism evaluator accepting insurance in Syracuse reportedly handling 2023 referrals and implying a multi‑year wait for families who must travel for diagnosis.
Beaumont asked for subcommittee and county collaboration to ensure the roadmap remains updated and lives with the subcommittee beyond current leadership. He also said the subcommittee hopes local providers will host and maintain the resource materials so the roadmap persists.
The subcommittee will continue outreach to community partners, refine the roadmap and plan the resource fair; members encouraged follow up with 2‑1‑1 and county web staff to publish materials when available.