California’s Sacramento — Following a year-long community-driven process, Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled a comprehensive plan to enhance services for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Empowering Californians with Developmental Disabilities Through Community-Driven Support
Over 500,000 Californians with I/DD and their families are urged to fortify their support networks through the community-driven “The Master Plan for Developmental Services” initiative.
Governor Newsom Emphasizes Commitment to Equity and Inclusion
Newsom went on to say, “California succeeds when ALL communities succeed.” “In advancing programs that enhance the lives of people with disabilities, our administration has placed a high premium on transparency, accountability, and justice. We are honoured to receive this master plan from the people who will be most impacted by our services, and we can’t wait to get started.”
Key Focus Areas of the Master Plan
The strategy addresses a number of key issues, including workforce development, accountability measures, data collection, process simplification, decision-making support, and service access.
Inclusive Development Through Community Collaboration
Following a comprehensive public feedback process that includes five expert workgroups, Secretary Kim Johnson of the California Health and Human Services Agency established a committee to develop the recommendations. These groups comprised individuals with disabilities, family members, direct support workers, activists, service providers, and representatives from California’s 21 regional centres.
Community Collaboration at the Heart of Change
“This would not have been possible without the collaboration of community members committed to making California a place where everyone is valued and can thrive,” Johnson said. “These recommendations will inform the future for our state that meets the needs and goals of each person with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, and the workforce that supports them.”
Eliminating Barriers and Advancing Equity in Service Delivery
By standardising services across and reducing barriers based on geography, language, and culture, the initiative eliminates inequities in service delivery for underserved populations. It also encourages the provision of skills and information to let people make their own decisions in life. Another primary goal is to streamline and simplify processes in order to enhance connections across state service systems, reduce wait times, and provide timely access to necessary services.
Investing in Workforce and Enhancing Transparency
The idea suggests investing in direct support professional hiring, training, and compensation in order to ensure a strong workforce. It also emphasises accountability and transparency by providing individuals, families, advocates, and professionals with the information and resources they need to understand how the state provides services. In order to ascertain where adjustments are necessary and if requests are being met effectively, the method also recommends establishing exact indicators. California has the nation’s only lifetime right to treatment for people with intellectual and developmental impairments, receiving almost $15 billion in funding annually. However, shifting community needs and access challenges compelled the state to review its service delivery system.
Building the Plan Through Inclusive Listening and Ongoing Engagement
Over the past year, the approach was developed through more than 45 listening sessions with different communities, service providers, policy experts, activists, individuals, and families. Ongoing public focus groups on a variety of topics, including autism, early intervention, rate reform, and employment, will be part of the plan’s execution. The plan for ongoing evaluations, actions, policy changes, and financial investments will serve as the framework for these conversations. The Master Plan for Developmental Services was formalised earlier this year by state legislation, which also required that it be presented to the Legislature once a year for the next 10 years. The plan’s committee will meet every two years to review suggestions and consider improvements.
A Unified Vision for Supporting Californians with Developmental Disabilities
The plan’s objective is to identify ways in which the job, health, and social services sectors may work together more effectively to assist the community of individuals with developmental disabilities. The California Health and Human Services Agency’s website has the whole Master Plan for Developmental Services.
