Maryland Developmental Disabilities Coalition Releases Statement on HHS Report

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Sept. 13, 2013 - PRLog -- The Maryland DHMH Developmental Disabilities Administration was recently audited by the United States Department of Health and Human Services.  Through this audit, it was discovered that Maryland made erroneous claims for matching funds from the Federal government from 2009 through 2012.  As a result, Maryland will be required to repay these funds—a $20.6 million repayment.  

In response to these audit findings, the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Coalition issued the following statement:  

“The Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration is a $900 million administration, providing essential supports and services for people with developmental disabilities and their families.  The Developmental Disabilities Coalition has grave concerns about the audit outcome.  This audit finding comes on the heels of other significant administrative and accounting errors uncovered over the last three years.  We acknowledge and appreciate DHMH Secretary Joshua Sharfstein’s transparency and rapid dissemination of information about the issues, and his efforts to address the administrative and accounting issues that have plagued DDA.  We call on our State leaders, including Governor O’Malley and the leadership of the General Assembly, to resolve this and other issues without further negative impact on individuals and families in need.  It is the role of our State leaders to ensure a quality system of supports and services.  Even with recent investments in DDA, the system is inadequately funded with 7,700 children and adults with developmental disabilities in need of services today of which 1400 are in crisis categories.  Additionally, existing community services have been critically underfunded, resulting in low-wage staff and inadequate support for children and adults receiving State-funded supports.  This fragile system cannot afford to absorb a $20 million loss."

About the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Coalition:  The Developmental Disabilities Coalition is a statewide coalition comprised of five organizations dedicated to education and advocacy for and with Marylanders with developmental disabilities.  

Members of the Coalition include:

The Arc Maryland
Kate Fialkowski, Executive Director (410-970-0093)

Maryland Association of Community Services
Laura Howell, Executive Director (443-848-1384)
Chair, MD Developmental Disabilities Coalition


Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council
Brian Cox, Executive Director (410-446-6025)


Maryland Disability Law Center
Nancy Pineles, Managing Attorney (443-692-2486)

People on the Go of Maryland
Ken Capone, Public Policy Coordinator (301-821-1756)

CLARIFICATION:  This statement was issued by the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Coalition--the PDF may identify this as a statement from the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council.