March 9, 2023

State Representatives Lucy Dathan and Jay Case Hold Press Conference Ahead of Public Hearing on Bill to Address Needs for Intellectually Or Developmentally Disabled Community

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State Representative Lucy Dathan (D-Norwalk/New Canaan) and State Representative Jay Case (R-Colebrook/Torrington/Winchester) held a press conference ahead of a Human Services Committee public hearing on House Bill #5001, An Act Concerning Resources and Support Services for Persons With An Intellectual or Developmental Disability a priority legislation for the House Chamber this session.

The bipartisan proposal intends to address the many critical issues affecting the Intellectually and/or Developmentally Disabled Community, including but not limited to:

Funding to address waitlists for services at the CT Department of Developmental Services and the CT Department of Social Services (approx. 950 individuals waiting on DDS and 2000 individuals waiting on DSS)
Evaluation of current services and bridging statewide silos between housing, transportation services (macro and micro), adult day services, education transitional services, and workforce development opportunities
Requiring more transparency and accountability for agencies and nonprofit providers working with IDD population
Increasing income and asset limitations to provide access expansion and retainment

Rep. Dathan said, “At a time when the national partisan discourse appears divisive with little room for bipartisan agreements, I am delighted to work along my Republican colleague, Rep. Case on an issue that has brought us together to help improve the services and address critical needs of the Intellectually and Developmentally Disabled community. As I have learned when talking with families and advocates, one size doesn’t fit all when trying to provide services to this vulnerable population. This proposal would add significant provisions to help alleviate many of the burdens on families and caregivers when accessing programs and services for their loved ones. I am committed to finding solutions and alternatives and working with all my colleagues to get this measure to the finish line this session.”

Rep. Case stated, “Too many Connecticut residents are sitting on the sideline waiting for services, an extremely harmful situation for those in need of the quality care our state providers offer. I commend Rep. Dathan for her prior work on this complex issue and I look forward to strengthening the safety net through a bipartisan approach. When these proposed policies are implemented, there will be a major impact made to minimizing the wait list and improvement to accessing services.”

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