Klarides Sisters Applaud the Passage of Legislation to Help Families & Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

HARTFORD— Last Week, the House unanimously passed Senate Bill 246, co-sponsored by House Republican Leader Themis Klarides and State Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria, which will help children with families with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

“The current services delivered by DDS have not been benefiting children and families with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” Rep. Klarides-Ditria added. “This legislation will put the well-being of children with an intellectual and developmental disabilities first. We still have a long way to go to ensure that every child receives adequate state services, and I will continue to work with CT-DDS Families First and the ARC to make sure the services provided by DDS are top notch.”

“DDS needs to be held accountable, and children with an intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families deserve a system that works,” said Rep. Klarides. “Helping the most vulnerable in our state should be our top priority, and I will not rest until every child that needs our help receives it.”

If the legislation is signed by the Governor, it will require the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to provide accurate and up-to-date information on family needs regarding the Residential Waiting List and other services by requiring a yearly census conducted when families meet with DDS for their annual review. By July 2018, DDS must develop a five and ten-year plan for each individual with an intellectual disability who is eligible for DDS services and who has an individual plan from DDS.

The bill now heads to the governor’s desk for his signature.