FACT SHEET

Maryland Developmental Disabilities Community Waiting List

·        There are 15,000 children and adults with developmental disabilities waiting for Community Services funded by the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA). * A total of 26,299 services are requested by these 15,000 individuals.

·        42% of services needed are in the crisis categories: Crisis Resolution (2,066) and Crisis Prevention (8,917).  
18% of requested services are for “Future Need” – services needed in 3 or more years.

·        The community services requested are:

Community Residential – 8,095

Community Day Habilitation & Supported Employment – 6,665

Family & Individual Support Services (Includes Community Respite Care) – 11,539

·         One in five caregivers of people waiting for community residential services is over the age of 60 years.

·         62% of caregivers of family members waiting for residential services are age 41 years and over. The age of the most elderly caregivers waiting for services has decreased as a result of the FY 1999-2003 Waiting List Initiative that prioritized the most elderly caregivers. 

·        Every county in Maryland has people waiting for DDA Community Services.

·        The number of people on the Waiting List for Community Services has grown 55% between January 1, 2004 to July 1, 2005.

·     Maryland is the 3rd wealthiest state, but ranks 44^th in state funding for developmental disabilities services. Only seven states rank lower than Maryland: Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, Texas, and Virginia.

*Source – Developmental Disabilities Administration, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, State of Maryland, July 1, 2005

Prepared on behalf of the Developmental Disabilities Coalition

                               October 2005