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Community Employment Alliance briefs DDAC on legislative outcomes, funding and listening sessions
Summary
Erin Dixon of the Community Employment Alliance told the DDAC that while some proposed cuts to community inclusion were reduced, about $10 million was removed from the supported employment/community inclusion bucket; she also described prevented eligibility changes and upcoming listening sessions on transition services.
Erin Dixon, executive director of the Community Employment Alliance, told the DDAC at its April meeting that the just-concluded legislative session presented risks to disability services but left several major eligibility protections intact.
"There was a proposal to change eligibility rules for services through DDCS ... that would have made it harder for people to get those services," Dixon said, adding that proposal did not pass. She told the committee that a proposal to remove about $30,000,000 from supported employment and community inclusion was pared down and "they ended up taking about 10,000,000."
Dixon said the community’s advocacy helped prevent more severe cuts that could have forced some people off DDCS-funded supports or reduced birth-to-3 and therapy coverage. She described several policy outcomes and next steps:
- Eligibility protections: A proposal to change DDCS eligibility that could have removed some people from services did not pass, Dixon said. - Funding changes: A larger proposed reduction to supported employment/community inclusion (about $30 million) was reduced to approximately $10 million; state partners said they expect to move funds to limit direct cuts to individuals. - Dental and DDCS planning: The governor directed DSHS and health partners to work on community-based dental services for people with disabilities, and funding was included for a 10-year DDCS strategic plan to guide services and provider payment models. - Engagement opportunities: Dixon urged stakeholders to participate in listening sessions for a transition collaborative report; she said sessions aimed at families and students were scheduled for April 22 (6 p.m. PT) and educators on April 23 (3:30 p.m. PT).
Dixon described CEA as a coalition of 46 organizations that supports providers with networking, resource-sharing and legislative advocacy. She encouraged local providers to use CEA resources and participate in transition planning to influence future policy.
The presentation signaled both caution and cautious optimism: Dixon said advocates stopped some proposed changes but that funding shifts still require local monitoring and follow-up. She closed by providing links to resources and saying she would post listening-session links in the meeting chat.
