Infinitas Foundation President Speaks On Virginia’s 2024 Budget

On January 3, 2024, the Infinitas Foundation Founder and President Neysha M. Alvarez participated in a Regional Public Hearing (Northern Virginia) on the Governor’s Proposed Amendment to the 2024-2026 Budget. 
Ms. Alvarez is a family advocate and supporter of The Arc of Northern Virginia. She spoke about the growing crisis in Virginia and the need to fund services for individuals with developmental disabilities. Ms. Alvarez specifically requested that leaders in the Virginia General Assembly consider funding all individuals on the Priority 1 Developmental Disabilities (DD) waiver waitlist. She also requested that leaders consider funding a core services package for individuals on the Priority 2 DD waiver waitlist.

Key Priorities

Below is an excerpt from her testimony that highlights key priorities:

However, there are over 15,000 on the DD waiver waiting list that are not eligible for services while the wait. Wait times could be in the decades for some individuals. Currently, 3,400 people are on the waiver waiting list that are actively in crisis and are not eligible for help. These waivers help parents to work and care for their loved ones. The waivers also help the person with a disability with caregiving and support to be as independent as possible.
This is a growing crisis in our commonwealth, and we need our leaders to make this a priority. Thousands of Virginians cannot continue to live in a perpetual state of crisis.
As a proud constituent of Virginia, I ask our leaders to:
1. Fund Governor Youngkin’s budget proposal to give DD waivers to all 3,400 people on the Priority 1 waiting list. They are currently in crisis and urgently need help.
2. Support the budget amendment to create “core services.” This is a far less expensive package of care to keep people on the waiting list out of crisis. Core services will ensure they can get the help they most need right away. 

For more information, please see: https://thearcofnova.org/family-advocates-speak-out-on-2024-budget-plan/

Keywords

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