Delnicki Listens to IDD Families at Family Hearing Day
Key Takeaways
- Delnicki hears calls to raise Medicaid reimbursement rates for IDD services.
- Advocates press for stronger caregiver support and sustainable service funding.
- Supporters push expanded Birth-to-3 funding and workforce development for IDD employment.
- Groups promote supported decision-making, supportive housing, and community-based care.
HARTFORD — State Representative Tom Delnicki (R–South Windsor) joined families, advocates, and providers at the annual Family Hearing Day hosted by The Arc of Connecticut to discuss legislative priorities supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
During the event, Rep. Delnicki heard firsthand about the urgent need to address gaps in Connecticut’s system of care. Advocates emphasized the importance of increasing Medicaid reimbursement rates, strengthening support for caregivers, and ensuring sustainable funding for essential services that allow individuals with IDD to live and work independently in their communities.
I look forward to Family Hearing Day each year. This day is an important opportunity to listen directly to those impacted by state policy,” said Delnicki. “We need to make sure our most vulnerable residents have access to the services they deserve, while also supporting the workforce and providers who make that care possible.”
The discussion also highlighted key initiatives including expanded funding for early intervention programs like Birth to 3, greater use of supported decision-making as an alternative to guardianship, and investments in workforce development to improve employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Advocates also underscored the need for more supportive housing and the preservation of community-based programs that allow residents to receive care at home rather than in institutional settings.