I wrote last month about the upcoming DDS and ODR performance review council hearing, and that will be happening on Thursday of this week. You can register here to testify. I know many have concerns about plans for a waitlist, as well as abrupt withdrawals of nutrition, fitness and other services that can be very important for those relying on them. Any such changes need to happen after discussion with the person's team, and the person supported also needs the opportunity to appeal - so if you or someone you know is affected, I hope you'll plan to testify, whether in person or by Zoom. There's also a new director for RSA who needs to hear about people's experiences with their transition and employment services, and that's also a topic at this hearing.
Last Friday's memorial service for Mat McCollough was very touching and a great reminder of how many people the former head of the Office of Disability Rights had reached, from the mayor, who spoke at the start of the service, to members of his family, and friends far and wide. It's hard to imagine ODR testifying this Thursday without him at the table.
On Friday, the monthly DDS forum will take place at noon. (Contact Charlisa Payne at Charlisa.Payne2@dc.gov to get the Zoom link) Following last month's detailed presentations on remote supports (find them here, toward the bottom), this month there will be further discussion of how remote supports are starting to be implemented under the pilot program, as well as programming in recognition of Black History Month (February) and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (March).
I want to take a moment to acknowledge that starting last year, DC has found itself in far more difficult budgetary circumstances than we've customarily been used to, in light of Congressional actions affecting Medicaid, and, more specifically, DC's ability to raise and spend our own local tax monies. I won't get into more detail here, but if you'd like to read more you can look at some of the posts in my weekly newsletter called DClives.
These budget woes make the work of disability advocates harder as we try to protect the services and supports on which people rely. With limited resources across the board, it's even more important to stand up and be heard. This Thursday, and from now on throughout the FY2027 budget season.
