Montana Association of Community Disabilities Services  (MACDS)

MEMBERSHIP, MISSION, VALUES, AND ACTIVITIES

Membership:	33 statewide community-based providers including services toi children and adults.
Mission:	The purpose of MACDS is to coordinate resources for Montanans with disabilities and to support member agencies.
Values:	MACDS values the health, safety and well being of people with disabilities. The association members are committed to provide community-based services supporting individualized choices that are flexible and responsive to essential needs, and that provide the support and assistance necessary for people with disabilities to achieve full productivity and independence.
Activities:	Peer support and professional development; Organizational and consumer advocacy in public policy and funding; Public education.

MAJOR ISSUES FOR THE 2009 LEGISLATURE

A. RATE RE-BASING:

• In 2006, providers, consultants, and state staff examined the cost information used to determine a new rate system. Because many errors and omissions were identified in the information, the Developmental Disabilities Program and its consultants determined that more accurate cost data needed to be collected to ensure that the new service rates were adequate. 
• Rate re-basing ties funding to the actual cost of delivering services. The rebasing takes into account the increased costs of doing business, such as in utilities, transportation, worker’s comp, and health insurance, as well as well as concerns such as staff turnover and retention (as discussed above), and basic subsistance costs for staff to continue to work in this field.
• In order to serve individuals with developmental disabilities who are currently on the waiting list, it is imperative that the State provide adequate funding to support the current community service infrastructure.   

B. STAFF HIRING AND RETENTION:

• The unemployment rate is at near record lows.
• Montana ranks as one of the lowest-paid state in the Union, causing the young workforce to leave the state entirely in search of better employment opportunities.
• Cost of housing in some parts of our state are so high, employees are working 2 -3 jobs to make ends meet and many are unable to buy housing.
• Turnover in our services has always been a big issue, but it has now entered into a crisis stage. Current estimates put our direct-care staff turnover at a level exceeding 50% annually. Without taking financial measures to counter the problem, it is likely that the vacancy rates will worsen. As a result, providers may be forced to discontinue some services to consumers or to not accept new clients from the Montana Developmental Center and the community.
• Very few people apply for direct care staff positions because the providers cannot afford to pay a competitive entry level wage for the area.
• In Montana these vacancies in community-based services may result in the following for our citizens with disabilities:
  • Limiting consumer choice (recreation, leisure activities, employment)
  • Increase stress on co-workers
  • Inability of providers to maintain services that are safe and promote individual development.
• The State needs to ensure enough funds are in our system to hire and maintain direct support staff to provide the supervision, training, and the care the clients need to enjoy a high quaility of life.