Department of Developmental Services

On Friday, December 9, DDS Chapter President Stu Dickson testified on behalf of the need to restore (not cut) Service Coordinator positions at BU’s Agganis Arena. Over 300 people were present to give testimony. It was no small feat to also distinguish the need for public services in a room dominated by the interest of the Purchase Of Service (POS) system.

Below is a summary of written/spoken testimony:

I will keep my remarks very brief. I’m here to talk about the public service side of this story. We are requesting $5 million to restore Service Coordinator positions lost since 2007. After federal reimbursement this cost is reduced to $2.5 million. Slashing the DDS Service Coordination and Administration account (line item 5911-1003) would reduce important services for some of our most vulnerable citizens. We understand that these are tough economic times and hard decisions may need to be made, but we need to protect and maintain services for disabled individuals. Service Coordinators provide case management, safety, monitoring, teaching plans and oversight for the DDS population. A reduction would result in a further layoff of DDS staff.
Since 2007, 82 Service Coordinator positions have been lost, a 20% reduction, despite increases in the population of vulnerable citizens that need these services. Caseloads have increased to an already dangerous ratio of 1:60. This places Massachusetts in the lowest 5% in the country. Service Coordination needs restoration of staffing levels, not cuts. In order to value this population, you must value their staffing needs. Service Coordinators not only provide this crucial care, but also bring in over $500 million in federal revenue through the Omnibus Waivers to the Commonwealth. $500 million provides much of the salaries and benefits to many people in this room. This has more then paid for staffing needs. The time is long overdue to restore funding for these important positions. Do something FOR Service Coordination instead of TO Service Coordination.

Stu Dickson - Chapter President

2011 started out on a difficult note with regard to the real threat of layoffs in the budget.  For the first time since 2007, the DDS Chapter was able to avoid significant layoffs and actually started to see the recall of some laid off Service Coordinators.  Important milestones involve the start of some Service Coordinator Supervisors obtaining Group 2 retirement, and the SC Support Broker MOU.  The Chapter was able to reach agreement with DDS regarding a new ISP process to start in 2012.  Input from our union has ensured that the new format is greatly streamlined with much redundancy removed.  DDS further agreed to phase this in over a two year period with a simple one page ISP Update form for alternating years.

Changing of The Guard: In the next 2 years many of the Chapter leadership will be retiring from state service.  It is more urgent then ever that people consider becoming stewards, stewards learning how to chair Regional Labor/Mgt and Regional Labor/Mgt members considering stepping up to State Labor/Mgt, Chapter and Joint Board leadership.  Without this, there will be a huge vacuum that Management won’t hesitate to exploit at the expense of all Chapter members.  The Chapter has 5 Regional Reps with 20% backoff on caseload/workload so there is some workload relief offset for some of these leadership positions.

Self Determination MOU: The SC Support Broker MOU is completed for this Pilot to begin. The MOU has been signed by 509 and is waiting for signature from DDS and OER. Management has begun to fill 4 new SC positions so as to not negatively impact other SC caseloads in the Greater Boston Area office and the Merrimack Valley Area office. Management has stated they are committed to creating an SC Support Broker position in each Area Office to gain momentum for this program. This will mean increased 509 jobs as well as a possible new job classification.  The pilot is in the early stages of implementation.

Contract Ratification: The contract that was voted on September 15, 2011 was passed, and the contract will now need to be funded. The Local is working on the Legislature to ensure the contract is funded.

Group 2 For SC Supervisors: At this time is being reported that up to 4 Service Coordinator Supervisors have been granted Group 2 status for retirement.  Members must be 55 years of age or older to apply and once approved this is only good for 6 months.  It is beneficial to attach the SC Job Description, a copy of the EPRS and a Form 30 to the Retirement questionnaire Classification Questionnaire form when applying. The Service Coordinator Supervisors are being approved as a result of carrying cases and for the times they are covering caseloads due to vacancies, absences or retirements of SC’s.