Jubilee Advocacy Underway to Protect Disability Services

The Maryland General Assembly is now in session. Your Jubilee advocates are working for you as budget decisions are being made in Annapolis that impact our community. Every member of the Jubilee community is encouraged to stay informed as we work together to protect disability services.

Here is what we know at this time about Governor Moore’s proposed budget for the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA), which funds Jubilee services. The Governor’s proposed budget includes approximately $300 million in cuts to disability services. Specifically, that’s $150 million in DDA general fund cuts plus the federal matching funds. While the overall DDA budget increases, most of that increase just covers services that already cost more than expected this year. The two issues of most concern to Jubilee are:

• Reductions to dedicated one-on-one support hours. We are still learning the details of the proposed changes. It could mean providers like Jubilee will still be required to provide services, but will be paid less for those hours. DDA may also not reauthorize previously approved hours for people Jubilee supports.
• Caps on individual budgets. People with higher support needs will be at risk of losing services that are essential to their health, safety, and ability to live in the community.

There is some good news. The overall proposed cost containment measures are less severe than what was proposed last year. We continue to be engaged with state officials on needed savings and stewardship of the DDA budget. More good news, our elected officials heard the disability community loud and clear during last year’s legislative session, and our advocacy made a difference. We continue to make our voice heard.

What Jubilee is Doing Now:

• Sending an advocacy team, which includes self-advocates and frontline workers, to Developmental Disabilities Day in Annapolis this month to meet with lawmakers. We are advocating on the DDA budget, Medicaid redeterminations, affordable housing, and access support for people from underserved communities.
• Working closely with partner organizations and our elected officials from Montgomery County who champion our work.
• Keeping our community informed, and hosting advocacy training sessions, so you can be an advocate.

How You Can Get Involved:

• Join the Developmental Disabilities Day livestream February 18 on the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Coalition’s Facebook page from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Learn about key legislation affecting Marylanders with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, and professional supports.
• Follow Jubilee on Facebook and Instagram for advocacy updates during the legislative session.
• Donations to Jubilee help bolster our work to help people with disabilities live independently. Your support is crucial as we work to stop budget cuts that directly impact Jubilee community members.