In a recent government meeting, significant discussions centered around budget allocations for the Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities (DisID). The department is facing a substantial budget cut of $1.8 million compared to the previous fiscal year, with its proposed budget now totaling $6 million. This reduction has raised concerns among lawmakers regarding the department's ability to meet the growing needs of its clients.

During the meeting, a speaker highlighted an urgent request from DisID's director, Michelle Perez, for an additional $375,000 to sustain operations and address increasing client demands. The department's budget proposal originally sought $6.73 million, which included funding from both the general fund and the Healthy Futures Fund. However, the current legislative proposal has reduced this amount, prompting calls for reconsideration.

The speaker emphasized that the additional funding is critical for expanding service capacity, particularly in light of a persistent shortage of contracted services for in-home care. The request also included a plea for greater flexibility in the use of allocated funds to adapt to changing needs.

Two amendments were proposed during the meeting. The first sought to allow DisID to utilize unexpended funds from prior fiscal years, while the second aimed to allocate the requested $375,000 from excess revenue collected in the 2025 fiscal year. Both amendments were discussed, with no objections raised, indicating a level of bipartisan support for addressing the funding shortfall.

Senator Brown raised concerns about whether the proposed $375,000 would be sufficient to accommodate the needs of clients on the waiting list, given the significant budget cut. The discussions reflect a growing recognition of the challenges faced by the department and the importance of adequate funding to support individuals with disabilities.