It is time to rebalance the Developmental Disability System in Illinois to provide quality of life for people with disabilities and for the State of Illinois...April 2011

(click headline for Letter.pdf) or http://www.familysupportnetwork.org/miscellaneous%20pdfs/2011%20LIFE%20FAQ%20Final.pdf

State of Illinois:
FAQ ON PROPOSED FY 2012 BUDGET
It is time to rebalance the Developmental Disability System in Illinois to provide quality of life for
people with disabilities and for the state of Illinois to spend taxpayer money in the most economical
and responsible way. We need to end the waiting list for the 21,000 adults and children in the PUNS
database and restore $76.3 million that funds critical community developmental disability services
and adopt a four‐year plan to phase out the funding of state institutions!
What are community based disability services?
Community based disability services support people with significant disabilities in the communities
of their choice with family, on their own, or in residential settings in traditional neighborhoods,
offering the opportunity to live full and vibrant lives that maximize independence and full inclusion.
What types of programs are considered community based services?
Community based disability services are any of the multitude of supports needed by someone with
a disability to be successful in their daily lives. Those supports may include help with the everyday
needs of life such as eating, bathing, grooming, and dressing. They may help with medications and
therapies. They may help developing skills for overcoming communication or behavioral
challenges. They may help with learning social skills or offer support for work opportunities. They
also provide support and respite to caregivers of children and adults with disabilities so that they
can be the resource their loved ones need them to be.
How does community based services compare to institutions?
Community based disability services help children and adults live with independence, dignity and
equality close to family and friends able to participate in all the opportunities community offers.
Community living provides safer, more effective and healthier environments for people with
disabilities to live.
What is the cost of community based services compared to institutional costs?
The state pays $192,000 per person in an institution versus approximately $50,000 per person for
community based disability services. Nearly four people can be served with community based
services for every one person in an institution.
Is there evidence documenting the advantages of community programs vs. institutions? Yes.
The Illinois developmental disability system has been studied many times and the overwhelming
opinion is to downsize state institutions and to invest more in a community system. Persons with
disabilities thrive in community based settings which are much more cost effective.

How great is the need for community based services?
The “Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services” (PUNS) database maintained by the Illinois
Division of Developmental Disabilities shows almost 21,000 people actively in need of services.
That’s 21,000 children and adults and their families living lives of frustration, isolation, and
exhaustion because these programs are grossly underfunded. There are currently 40,000 children
and adults receiving state funded community based disability services.
What impact will the proposed $76.3 million actually have?
Last year $16 million was cut from the budget of the Division of Developmental Disabilities. Those
cuts were vital grant funded direct services in the community for about 15,000 individuals with
intellectual and developmental disabilities. Additional cuts will mean 3,052 direct care community
staff layoffs, 6% cuts in services, and the elimination of critical programs. It will mean cutting the
lifeline impacting 220,000 people with disabilities and their families living in the State of Illinois.
The state is in a fiscal crisis, how can we afford to fund these programs?
We can’t afford not to. While persons with disabilities will be the most impacted, many others will
feel the pain. It is estimated that 3,052 direct care staff will be laid off and vital programs will be
eliminated. The current budget invests $30 million in state institutions while it cuts community
services by $76.3 million, even though funding community living is proven to be more cost effective.
Illinois ranks last in funding community programs. The budget includes the hiring of 950 state
employees and grants employees an 8.25% wage increase. The budget has the wrong priorities and
needs to be rebalanced to address the more critical needs of Illinois citizens.
How does Illinois compare to other states in funding community programs?
Illinois ranks 51st in the nation for supporting citizens with developmental disabilities in their home
communities. There are 11 states that have already phased out state institutions that have proven
to be an antiquated way of caring for people with disabilities. Illinois neighboring state of Indiana
closed its one remaining institution last year.
What are some of the programs that will be cut/eliminated?
The Children and Adult Home‐Based Services Programs will be cut by 10% and directly assist
families supporting their children and adult children in their homes.
Additionally, all Medicaid services are cut across the board by 6%. Those services include but are
not limited to: Community Integrated Living Arrangements (CILA), Day Services, Therapies,
Intermediate Care Facilities for the Developmentally Disabled (ICF/DD), Pre‐Admission Screening
(PAS) Services, Individual Service and Support Advocacy and all Community Services While cutting
services by 6%, the state will only be saving 3%.
The budget also eliminates the Family Assistance Program, The UIC Family Clinic and Assistive
Technology Unit, all Epilepsy Grants, all Dental Grants, SIU Telemed Grant and all Respite Grants.
What is the best course of action?
End the waiting list for the 21,000 adults and children in the PUNS database, restore the $76.3
million in community developmental disability services and adopt a four‐year plan to phase out the
funding of state institutions. Funding state institutions is proven to be an antiquated way of caring
for people with disabilities. It is time to rebalance the Developmental Disability System in Illinois.
SOURCE: The Arc of Illinois
For more information contact: Tony Paulauski at 815‐ 464‐1832 or tony@thearcofil.org
The Arc of Illinois represents 220,000 infants, children and adults with intellectual and
developmental disabilities and their families.