Concord, NH – Today, Senator Kevin Avard (R-Nashua) issued the following statement after learning there are $3.7 million in unspent funds for Developmental Disabilities Waitlist in FY 16, with 166 citizens still waiting for services according to the latest dashboard issued in July. This information came to light as part of the Agency Requests submitted last week.
“I can’t understand how nearly $3.7 million was unspent for developmental services out of an $8.7 million budget. It is truly disgraceful that the DD-waitlist still exists, considering it should have been eliminated altogether after Governor Hassan’s budget veto was overridden, and there were funds that went unspent in FY 16.The budget provided fully funded the amount the Department of Health and Human Services determined was necessary to eliminate the waitlist and provide services to all eligible individuals with developmental disabilities.”
“This means 166 citizens are living without critical services that provide them with an improved quality of life that engages them in their communities by including transportation, providing career training, furthers their education and opens opportunities for work.”
“It is an absolute shame that these citizens continue to go without the services they need because Governor Hassan’s lacks the focus necessary to lead the way and urge the department to do whatever they can to reduce and eliminate the waitlist altogether.”
“Unfortunately, it is no surprise that this issue has not been dealt with considering Governor Hassan has not issued the reports required by SB 32, nor have the funds available to the Governor’s Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Prevention, Treatment and Recovery been put to use in our communities suffering the effects of the heroin and opioid crisis.”
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New Hampshire Senate
News ReleaseFor Immediate Release:
October 10, 2016Media Contact:
Kate Spiner
(603) 271-3043
kate.Spiner@leg.state.nh.us
