Fenty Administration Reflects on DDS 2007 Key Accomplishments

Since taking office 21 months ago, the administration has overcome significant barriers and made positive gains.

Today Mayor Adrian M. Fenty announced some key accomplishments within the Department on Disabilities Services (DDS). When the Fenty Administration took office in 2007, it faced longstanding and significant barriers preventing more than 2,000 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities from receiving the services they needed.  

“Residents desire a richer quality of life, said Mayor Fenty. “Today, we proudly report dramatic improvements for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities thanks to the diligent work of the Department on Disability Services.”

Improved Living Conditions and Community Integration  

Over the past 21 months, the administration decreased the number of individuals living in institutional settings by 18 percent and increased the number of individuals living in smaller, community integrated homes by 35 percent.  Since Nov. 2007, the District increased the number of people receiving home and community-based supports by moving 406 people onto the new Medicaid Waiver, a 47-percent increase from 2006.  Perhaps most significantly, 300 of those waiver recipients are receiving supports from DDS to remain living in their natural homes with their families.  

This trend will continue as DDS was just awarded $6 million over the next three years through a Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) Money Follows the Person grant to transform the District’s long-term care system. This alone will enable 400 individuals to move from institutional intermediate care facilities settings, to small homes and apartments of their choosing.  

Increased Employment Opportunities

Over the last 21 months, DDS has helped more than 100 individuals gain employment, a vast improvement from previous years.  

Provided Greater Cost and Organizational Effectiveness

The administration has also dramatically improved cost effectiveness by serving more people with fewer local taxpayer dollars.  In 2006, the District spent $56 million for residential services; but through aggressive policy changes, it now spends only $33 million, serving 130 more individuals. This saves tax payers 50-percent per-person and includes home and community based services.  This is largely due to the city’s aggressive pursuit and implementation of a new Medicaid waiver, which resulted in an expansion of opportunities for those DDS serves, while utilizing a greater share of dollars coming from the federal government, approximately $71 million this fiscal year.

DDS has separated 78 employees and has recruited a wealth of new talent to improve the quality of our services.

Improved Quality of Medical Care

In recognizing that health care continues to be an issue for many DC residents, especially those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, DDS works with national experts and community partners to revamp the District’s health care delivery system.  Specifically, the administration is improving health care by partnering with nationally recognized institutions like Georgetown University, George Washington University and Liberty Healthcare to bring highly qualified medical and allied health care professionals with extensive experience in supporting persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities to deliver immediate support to the DDS Provider community. Going forward, this will dramatically improve the delivery of health care supports where residents live and work.  

In addition, DDS is on the verge of offering values-based training on person-centered and self-directed models of support for 3,000 District and provider employees in an effort to aggressively move the District away from the 30 year historical culture of institutional care.