Dear DSHS' DDA Community Partners:??

Today, Governor Inslee signed the 2023-25 supplemental operating budget Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5950. The Legislature and the governor have done an excellent job in prioritizing clients and their families, providers and the workforce who support our clients.

I am pleased to share the budget highlights with you.

Community Residential Rates - Funding is provided for a 2.5 percent increase in community residential service rates, effective Jan. 1, 2025. ($11M total funds; $5.5M general fund-state)

Lake Burien Transitional Care Facility - Complex needs funding is provided for a 12-bed residential facility aimed at supporting youth with complex needs, including developmental disabilities and behavioral challenges. Staffing is planned to reach 96 FTE in March 2025. ($15.2M total funds; $12.3M general fund-state)

Nursing Services Rates - Funding is provided for a 7.5 percent increase for a variety of nursing services, including private duty nursing, performed by registered nurses and licensed practical nurses, effective July 1, 2024. ($748,000 total funds; $361,000 general fund-state)

Professional Guardians - Funding is provided for covering professional guardianship fees for individuals with developmental disabilities transitioning from a Residential Habilitation Center to supported living programs. ($350,000 total funds; $175,000 general fund-state)

Respite Care - Funding is provided to establish respite care beds for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Tri-Cities. ($350,000 general fund-state)

Parent Support Programs - Funding is provided to increase contracts for parent support programs, enhancing Parent-to-Parent program and Informing Families. ($400,000 total funds; $240,000 general fund-state)

Caseload Ratio Reduction - Funding is provided to hire 7.9 FTEs to reduce the caseload ratio. ($2.2M total funds; $1.2M general fund-state)

Lakeland Village Records - Funding is provided to develop a preservation plan for artifacts at Lakeland Village as required under SSB 6125. ($146,000 total funds; $73,000 general fund-state)

Day Habilitation Services - Funding is provided for a workgroup to explore the integration of community-contracted day habilitation services into the state Medicaid plan, including a budget proposal for statewide implementation. ($200,000 total funds; $108,000 general fund-state)

Program Underspends - Reduction of anticipated under expenditures in the employment and community inclusion budget. (-$35.1M total funds; -$18.8M general fund-state)

More detail can be found at the OFM Budget website.

Thank you for your partnership as we focus on implementing these items. We will continue to work each day to transform lives by providing support and fostering partnerships that empower people to live the lives they want.

Sincerely,

Dr. Tonik Joseph

Assistant Secretary, Developmental Disabilities Administration

DSHS: Transforming Lives