The Arc

Of The District of Columbia, Inc.

at the McCormick Pavilion
415 Michigan Avenue, NE • Washington, D.C. 20017
202-636-2950 • fax 202-636-2996
website: www.arcdc.net • email: ArcDC@arcdc.net

Statement of Mary Lou Meccariello, Executive Director

Regarding Bill 18-1101, the Fiscal Year 2011 Revised Budget Request Act of 2010, and
Bill 18-1100, the Fiscal Year 2011 Supplemental Budget Support Act of 2010

Before the Committee of the Whole

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Good morning. My name is Mary Lou Meccariello and I am the Executive Director of
The Arc of the District of Columbia (The Arc of DC). Thank you for the opportunity to testify
today regarding the Mayor’s proposed Fiscal Year 2011 Revised Budget Request Act of 2010.

The Arc of DC is a nonprofit membership organization now celebrating our 60th

anniversary of improving the lives of District residents with intellectual and developmental
disabilities and their families through supports and advocacy. Over the years, we have seen many
revenue shortfalls and budget gaps. We have always fought to ensure that necessary belt-
tightening has not harmed the District’s ability to meet the needs of residents with intellectual
and developmental disabilities. We fear that without intervention by the DC Council, the
Mayor’s current budget proposal will do exactly that.

The Mayor’s gap-closing plan proposes a 2.6% cut in the District’s total local fund
budget.1 In comparison, the Mayor has proposed a 6% cut in local funds at the Department on
Disability Services (DDS). All of the proposed cuts affect the Developmental Disabilities
Administration, which serves approximately 2,000 residents with intellectual disabilities and
their families.2 The Mayor offers no explanation for why DDS is being asked to take such a
disproportionate cut.

1
Mayor Fenty’s proposal reduces local funds at all agencies by $138,415,958 out of a total local fund budget of
$5,385,899,000 (Page E-6, FY 2011 Proposed Budget and Financial Plan, Congressional Submission).
2
Local funds at the DDS Rehabilitation Services Administration go to meet a federal maintenance of effort
requirement, and as a result could not be reduced.

1
 Health and Human Service Cluster Agencies
with Budgets Greater than $50,000,000

Agency FY 2011 FY 2011 Percent

Approved Mayor’s Cut
Proposal
Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services $90,681,000 $90,661,000 0%
Department of Mental Health $168,451,000 $164,178,000 3%
Department of Health $74,471,000 $72,261,000 3%
Child & Family Services Agency $198,189,000 $192,203,000 3%
Department of Human Services $146,354,000 $140,527,000 4%
Department on Disability Services $56,808,000 $53,613,000 6%

The Arc of DC is gravely concerned about the potential for harm caused by the Mayor’s
proposed cuts to DDA. We strongly oppose the Mayor’s cuts, for several reasons.

First, it appears likely that further cuts would force DDA to start a waiting list for the first
time in its history. We do not know exactly how many people would be affected, but in 2009
approximately 181 people applied for DDA services.3 A waiting list would prevent people from
accessing essential services. It would also hinder the District’s ability to continue to help people
live in the community, as opposed to institutions, in accordance with the Americans with
Disabilities Act.

Second, targeting DDA for cuts may jeopardize the agency’s progress in the Evans law
suit. With the court’s recent appointment of a Special Administrator, the Evans case is at a
critical juncture. Adequate funding is a key requirement under the Evans court orders.

Third, we are concerned that cuts in clinical services, health initiatives, and medical
services will negatively impact best practices, staff training, and quality assurance. Combined,
these cuts may greatly harm efforts by DDA to strengthen the overall quality of services.

Finally, it is unclear whether DDA would have any funds to respond to emergencies. For
example, if a person on the waiting list who was living with their family suddenly becomes
homeless, would DDA be able to respond? A lack of emergency response capacity could put the
lives of residents with intellectual disabilities in immediate jeopardy.

3
Department on Disability Services, Supplemental Performance Oversight Hearing Question Responses, submitted
to the Committee on Human Services in the spring of 2009.

2
 In closing, at the end of my written testimony I have provided a list of additional
concerns and recommendations regarding other topics that The Arc of DC supports, but that we
believe other witnesses will address in more detail. Thank you for the opportunity to testify. I
look forward to answering any questions you may have.

Supplement: Additional Budget Concerns & Recommendations

In addition to our statement above, The Arc of DC also has the following concerns and
recommendations regarding Mayor Fenty’s FY 2011 proposed gap-closing plan:

1. The budget for the Office of Disability Rights has been cut 32% since 2008 (from
$1,568,000 in the FY 2008 June Congressional Submission to $1,069,000 in the current
FY2011 budget). The Mayor’s proposed plan would cut the budget another $147,000 or
14% for a cumulative reduction of 41% since 2008. ODR is a small but vital office that
plays a critical role in ensuring that people with disabilities are able to access the District
government and helping the District to avoid costly law suits. We are gravely concerned
that any further cuts to ODR will prevent the office from carrying out its core mission.

2. The Mayor’s proposed gap-closing plan would reduce spending on nonpublic tuition by
$21 million. The gap-closing plan explains that cost savings will be achieved by bringing
students back to DCPS from nonpublic placements. We are concerned about the
magnitude of these proposed cuts and the current capacity of DCPS to actually serve
these students who will be moved.

3. The Arc of DC continues to support the Interim Disability Assistance program which
provides an essential safety net for low-income residents with disabilities. In recent years
IDA has taken significant cuts. We urge the Council to maintain the program in FY 2011.

4. Chairman Gray has asked that witnesses not only testify about the potential harm that
could result from cuts, but also offer alternatives. To that end, The Arc of DC supports
the testimony of DC Fiscal Policy Institute with regard to options for increasing the
District’s revenues. We ask that the Council consider the DCFPI recommendations.