We learned of a proposal that could have a dramatic impact on state-funded programs for individuals with disabilities. Governor Dannel Malloy announced $17 million in cuts to DDS as part of his plan to address a $220 million shortfall in the budget for fiscal year 2016. DDS Commissioner Morna Murray also announced that 2016 could mark the first year with no guarantee for services to new graduates / age outs since the inception of the program.

The fiscal year 2016 cuts will be voted on next Tuesday, March 29th and will be implemented immediately. Once done, the state will then tackle the $900 million shortfall it faces in fiscal year 2017. In order to stop or reduce these proposed cuts:

WE MUST ALL ACT NOW

The Fiscal 2016 cuts will become the starting point for the Fiscal 2017 shortfall.Once the fiscal 2016 cuts are approved by the legislature, they will likely be annualized which means they will become the new baseline for the next fiscal year. The families of those who are supported in a day program or hope to be, those working towards community employment, those expecting residential support in the future need to understand that these programs will be under close scrutiny.

Once the funds are gone, it will be very challenging to recapture them.

ADVOCACY OPPORTUNITIES

Call or Email Your Legislators 

Call or write your representatives and encourage them to find alternative sources of savings that will protect and preserve services to individuals with developmental disabilities. Tell them your story and describe how DDS support impacts your life and that of your loved one. Ask them to give their full support to any proposal presented by their leadership that will protect DDS community based services.Please find contact information for legislators below.

Go to Hartford and Lobby

Help lobby during the Vote on the Deficit Mitigation Plan for fiscal year 2016
Tuesday, March 29 at 10:00 AM

Please plan to attend. Also use your time in Hartford to tell legislators to protect at-risk programs in the Appropriations Committee Recommended Budget for fiscal year 2017 that is expected the following week.

Thank you for your help. We need to stand together so that our voices and those of the individuals we care for and love can be heard!

Contact information for legislators
Here is a list of officials representing lower Fairfield County.
To look up reps for other areas, please click here

Democratic Party Leadership:
Speaker of the House Brendan Sharkey -
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
800.842.1902

Senate Pro Tempore Martin Looney -
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860.240.0375

House Majority Leader Joe Aresimowicz -
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800.842.8267

Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff -
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800.842.1420

Appropriations Committee:
Senator Beth Bye -
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860.240.0428

Representative Toni Walker -
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860.240.8585

Lower Fairfield County Reps:
Senators:
L. Scott Frantz, R., Greenwich Stamford and New Canaan
(860) 240-0474
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Carlo Leone, D., Darien and Stamford
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860-240-8600

Toni Boucher, R., New Canaan, Weston, Westport
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800-842-1421

Representatives:
Mike Bocchino, R., Greenwich
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800-842-1423

Fred Camillo, R., Greenwich
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800-842-1423

Livvy Floren, R., Greenwich and Stamford
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800-842-1423

William Tong, D., Darien and Stamford
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860-240-8500

Caroline Simmons, D., Stamford
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860-240-8500

Daniel Fox, D., Stamford
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860-240-8500

Terry Adams, D., Stamford
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860-240-8500

Patricia Billie Miller, D., Stamford
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860-240-8500

Jonathan Steinberg, D., Westport
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860-240-8500

Gail Lavielle, R., Norwalk, Westport, Wilton
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860-240-8700

Tom O'Dea, R., New Canaan, Wilton
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860-240-8700

Bob Duff, D., Darien, Norwalk
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860-240-8600

Chris Perone, D., Norwalk
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860-240-8500

Bruce Morris, D., Norwalk, Weston, Wilton
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860-240-8700

Fred Wilms, R., New Canaan, Norwalk
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860-240-8700

Additional Resources

Click these links to read Josh Kovner's Hartford Courant articles regarding the cuts to DDS:

"Vocational, Educational Services For Developmentally Disabled Adults"

"State: Closing 2 Residential Facilities Will Help Expand Services For Developmentally Disabled"