| The proposed 2010-11 Executive Budget was released today and highlights a series of long term reforms to close the State's deficit and implement creative and ways to deliver critical services to the public. The proposed budget for the NYS Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) adheres to the Governor's request to close the budget gap while at the same time focusing available resources on the agency's core mission.
A major highlight of the proposed Executive Budget for OMRDD is the inclusion of a trend. A 2.08 percent trend for 2010 and a 3.06 percent retroactive trend factor for 2009 to support enhancements of the direct support workforce recruitment and retention efforts. Likewise, the Executive Budget proposal includes continued funding for the Health Care Initiative a sixth phase of the Health Care Adjustment to be implemented on April 1, 2010.
Development is another highlight of the OMRDD proposal as the budget recommends several increases in this area. At home residential habilitation (AHRH) and Family Support Services (FSS) will be expanded through new funding recommendations in the budget. OMRDD recommends expansion of AHRH to support an additional 1,000 individuals,
OMRDD maintains the agency's commitment to people seeking out of home residential opportunities and recommends funding to support 530 new opportunities. OMRDD, through this budget proposal, seeks to continue downsizing and redefining institutional capacity and will complete Developmental Center census rundown over the next several fiscal years.
Savings will be achieved through a series of ongoing efforts including: implementing clinic licensure and reimbursement reform, rate/price setting restructuring related to HCBS Waiver Day Habilitation Services, Medicaid Service Coordination, and supervised IRA. Significant reform of Medicaid Service Coordination to achieve an 18 percent reduction in targeted case management services is proposed and through increased staff caseloads, reassessment of the number of individuals requiring service and developing different levels of service that are more closely tailored to individual needs. Additionally, the budget recommends reform of the administration and oversight of Family Care program over a multi-year period.
Other budget items include: funding to support more than 1,600 new employment and/or day service opportunities and 133 new residential opportunities for individuals graduating from educational systems. Also included are 51 new "in-state" residential placements for individuals in out-of-state facilities to continue the commitment of "Billy's Law".
OMRDD state operations will be impacted through proposed actions which include merging of available resources including natural and community supports as well as OMRDD and other government-financed services; transfer of 10 positions from the OMRDD division of quality management to the NYS Office of Medicaid Inspector General and elimination of 20 FTE from the Institute of Basic Research (IBR).
There is much more analysis to be done and more to be determined about the proposed 2010-11 Executive Budget for OMRDD. Workgroups will be developed to provide input into efficiencies going forward. Please be assured we will keep members updated as new information becomes available.
For a copy of the OMRDD Budget Briefing Book go to http://www.omr.state.ny. us/wt/publications/2010- 11BudgetBriefingBooklet.pdf
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