Dept. of Human Services celebrates budget increase for intellectual disability support services

Canonsburg, Pa. — Pennsylvanians with disabilities will be getting more support thanks to increases in the state budget focusing on individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism.

Pennsylvania's Dept. of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh recently joined The Arc of Washington County in celebration of new investments into Pennsylvanians with intellectual disabilities and autism (ID/A). This year's Pennsylvania budget has significantly increased funding for home- and community-based services for residents with ID/A and for the people who care for them.

Secretary Arkoosh took a tour of the Arc’s art gallery, which features art created by people of all abilities. The Arc is a nonprofit that provides services and support to people with ID/A.

“Every Pennsylvanian with intellectual disabilities and autism deserves to receive the services they need when they need them, but for too long, Pennsylvania has had a system that results in years-long waiting lists for ID/A services instead of providing the right supports at the right time,” said Secretary Arkoosh. “With these most recent budget wins, we can get to work and become a leader in the home and community-based services space by beginning the process of eliminating the waiting list for services and investing in our ID/A service providers and direct support professionals.”

This year’s budget invests in Pennsylvanians with ID/A and direct support professionals (DSPs) who care for them by securing $354.8 million in federal and state funding for home and community-based service providers. The funding includes $280 million to help raise wages for DSPs and $74.8 million to begin the process of clearing the emergency waiting list.

Improved wages are expected to help with recruitment and retention of DSPs.

The investment sets a course to eliminate the emergency waiting list that adults with ID/A currently wrestle with. The 2024-25 budget builds on the $17.49 million from the 2023-24 budget to help an additional 850 Pennsylvanians get off of the ID/A waiting list.

The end goal is for ID/A community members to swiftly access vital services to live independently, pursue education and job opportunities, and have fulfilling everyday lives.