State officials announced Thursday that they have managed to reallocate funding to delay budget cuts to the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) that were initially scheduled to take effect in April. However, despite this temporary relief, significant cuts are still on the horizon for July 1, leaving many advocates and families deeply concerned.
For families who rely on DDA services, this announcement was met with both relief and trepidation. While the short-term funding reprieve is welcome news, the uncertainty of what lies ahead weighs heavily on their minds.
“It is a huge relief to us that the leaders … came together and restored that [cut for fiscal 2025],” said Laura Howell, CEO of the Maryland Association of Community Services. “Now we have to tackle FY ’26.”
According to a joint statement from the Moore administration and legislative budget leaders, approximately $76 million in proposed DDA cuts that were set to take effect on April 1 will be “reprioritized.” With federal matching dollars included, this funding will “restore” roughly 94% of the cuts that had been planned for this spring.
The announcement follows weeks of intense advocacy efforts, during which members of the developmental disability community mobilized in large numbers to push back against the proposed reductions.
“I think the grassroots advocacy had a big impact,” Howell said, acknowledging the collective efforts of families, caregivers, and service providers who have been vocal in their opposition.
DDA Deputy Secretary Marlana Hutchinson echoed these sentiments during testimony before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Social Services.
“The disability community has stepped up and made their voices heard,” Hutchinson said.
She went on to emphasize the state’s awareness of the real-life consequences these proposed budget changes could have.
“The Maryland Department of Health fully recognizes that the proposed reduction to the DDA budget has real consequences for the people who rely on those services,” Hutchinson said. “We are actively working to explore alternative approaches to protect essential programs while balancing fiscal realities together.”
Despite the temporary relief, advocates warn that the battle is far from over.
Howell stressed that while officials were able to delay budget cuts, concerns remain about what will happen when the next fiscal year begins on July 1. The looming question is how the remaining budget reductions—totaling approximately $235 million in DDA cuts for fiscal year 2026—will be addressed.
In January, the developmental disabilities community was shocked to learn that Gov. Wes Moore’s budget proposal included $200 million in cuts to the DDA, beginning in the current year and extending into fiscal 2026. The prospect of such drastic reductions sent a wave of fear through families and care providers, who worried about the impact on essential services.
State officials say Thursday’s announcement provides additional time for budget leaders to explore other funding options as they navigate a projected $3 billion shortfall for fiscal 2026.
Even with the temporary pause, the cuts scheduled to take effect on July 1 remain a significant concern. The reductions will affect a range of services and programs, many of which are essential for the daily well-being of people with developmental disabilities. One of the most alarming aspects of the proposed cuts is the potential decrease in pay for care providers, which could drive many out of the profession. Advocates worry that this will lead to a workforce crisis, with fewer providers available to support individuals who rely on their care.
At Thursday’s subcommittee hearing, emotions ran high as advocates and families pleaded with lawmakers to protect DDA funding.
Jessica Gallatin of Cecil County shared a deeply personal testimony about her twin sister, Jennifer, who has developmental disabilities.
She told the subcommittee that the proposed cuts would “undoubtedly change” Jennifer’s life.
“But more importantly, I fear it will threaten her life,” Gallatin said.
Gallatin, who became Jennifer’s primary caretaker after their parents passed away, described the state’s self-direction services program as a lifeline. But with the proposed reductions, she fears for her sister’s future.
“Sustainability is not achieved by rushed and careless, blanketed approaches,” Gallatin said. “Tough decisions will be made – we know the budget. But they should be made with mature calculation, sophistication and empathy.”
Jennifer Drucker, another advocate, also fought back tears as she testified about how the uncertainty surrounding the budget has already had real consequences for her 25-year-old daughter.
“Our main caregiver just left because of the instability the DDA is causing,” Drucker said. “If you pass these cuts, you’re not just balancing a budget, you’re breaking families.”
She painted a stark picture of what would happen if the state followed through with the proposed reductions.
“We depend on these services. Without them, we’ll fall into crisis,” she said. “Protect these services, because without them, we will not make it.”
Fighting to maintain her composure, Drucker underscored how deeply personal these decisions are for families like hers.
“My daughter’s care is not a line item. It’s her life and my life,” Drucker said.
Rachel London, executive director for the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council, told the subcommittee that while the temporary delay in cuts is a step in the right direction, it’s not a long-term solution.
“We have a lot of work ahead,” London said.
She emphasized the importance of maintaining a system that meets the evolving needs of people with disabilities.
“Everyone, regardless of service model, gets serviced based on their assessed needs … everyone has different needs at different points in our lives,” London said Thursday. “Our system has to be flexible enough to meet those needs as they change and in the way people need them.”
As the July 1 deadline approaches, families, advocates, and service providers remain on high alert. While they are relieved that officials were able to delay budget cuts, they know that the fight for long-term funding solutions is far from over.
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