Sacramento – Yesterday, the Senate Human Services Committee passed AB 2053 (Mathis – 2024), requiring the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to biennially review and update the service rates provided to caregivers who service those within the IDD Community. Assemblyman Mathis issued the following statement after the vote:
“The Senate Human Services Committee took an important step forward in ensuring that our IDD community receives the support it needs. The treatment and care for those within the IDD community is not, and should not be, a partisan issue. The state is responsible for providing care and support for the most vulnerable and marginalized communities within California. Currently, DDS oversees a network of regional centers throughout the State in order to deliver services to the IDD community. Regional centers are responsible for assessing consumers’ needs and providing the services they require to live independent, productive, and satisfying lives. Unfortunately, these regional centers have been consistently underfunded for years as the rates provided to them by DDS have not kept up with inflation. As a result, these regional centers have not been able to hire critical staff and have been forced to reduce services to the IDD Community. AB 2423 addresses a long-standing funding issue and ensures that regional centers are provided with the necessary resources to provide those within the IDD community with the services and care they deserve.”
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