A developmental disability is a disability that:
The Developmental Disabilities Administration of the Department of Social and Health Services (DDA) assists individuals with developmental disabilities and their families to obtain services and support based on individual preferences, capabilities, and needs. While some DDA clients live in residential habilitation centers, an institutional setting, most clients live in the community. Eligibility for DDA services depends on whether the client has a qualifying developmental disability, has a functional need, and meets certain income and asset standards.
If a child is determined to be eligible for DDA services before age 3, eligibility expires on the child's fourth birthday. Eligibility for a child determined eligible at or after age 3 based on developmental delays or Down Syndrome expires on the child's tenth birthday.
The Department of Social and Health Services rulemaking authority relating to redetermination of eligibility for developmental disability services is modified to provide that rules may not terminate or require redetermination of eligibility for a child under age 18 based solely on the child's age if the child has been determined to be eligible for services on or after the child's third birthday.
(In support) People have to go through many barriers to receive developmental disabilities services. If a person has developmental disabilities at a young age, the disability will continue indefinitely. The current policy serves as a means to screen people out when they have already been determined to need services. Many parents have had frustrating firsthand experiences with having to have their child with developmental disabilities reevaluated at age 10. There is a lot of paperwork, booklets to fill out, and paperwork for teachers to fill out. The end result is the same; the child is still a client. Many parents have dropped out of the workforce to care for children. The services they rely on have a significant impact on families. Services include things like respite care, which give parents a break and allow a child to gain social skills through interacting with a trained adult, and assistive technologies, like electronic tablets with communication software. These are things that would be devastating to lose. The eligibility process is onerous and can take up to a year. Reevaluation at age 10 is not a necessary step and is a harmful barrier to services. Early intervention is important, and the current rule disrupts that intervention, leaving the chances higher that people will end up dependent on services for the rest of their lives. The current policy hits Latino families particularly hard.
(Opposed) None.
(In support) The reevaluation process at age 10 requires the parent to fill out forms, obtain a new evaluation, and communicate with the DDA, resulting in significant financial and time burdens.
(Opposed) None.