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Parents tell committee limited day-program hours force caregivers out of the workforce
Summary
Family caregivers asked lawmakers to increase reimbursable HCBS day-program hours (citing proposals to move from 25 to 41 reimbursable hours per week when supported by person-centered plans) so parents can keep jobs and avoid unintended residential placements.
Several parents and caregivers told the committee that existing adult day services don't cover workdays, leaving families to choose between employment and caring for an adult child. Melanie Jacobs described limitations that make a 25-hour reimbursable week insufficient for working families and asked the committee to consider raising the limit when supported by a person-centered plan.
Courtney Carpenter, the single mother of a 22-year-old son who is deaf, blind and nonverbal, described acute hiring shortages and a lack of reliable after-day-program options. "A service is not truly available if there's nobody available to provide it," she said, and asked the committee to align day-program hours with a typical workday and improve reimbursement so providers can hire and retain staff.
Advocates asked for three primary changes: (1) extend reimbursable day-service hours when supported by person-centered plans, (2) ensure reimbursement supports hiring and retention, and (3) develop reliable after-program supports that reduce the need for residential placement. Committee members asked staff and agencies to include these options in next-step discussions and to provide cost estimates for any statutory or budgetary changes.
