Program allies pack hearing Restoration of cuts to services for disabled children sought

AUGUSTA – Supporters of early screening for disabled children packed a Legislative hearing room Tuesday asking for the restoration of proposed cuts to Child Developmental Services.

Under the proposed state budget, approximately $400,000 will be cut from the CDS program in the coming year and another $6.5 million will be eliminated the next year. That represents more than 40 percent in cuts from the $18 million that was dedicated to CDS in the most recent budget.

The CDS program is aimed at identifying children with disabilities or those who are developmentally disabled from birth to 5 years old. An estimated 6,000 Maine infants, toddlers and preschool children now receive assistance from the program.

During the joint hearing, members of the Appropriations and Finance Committee, along with the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee, heard testimony from those opposed to the budget recommendations. Members also questioned Department of Education Commissioner Susan Gendron about her decision to significantly cut the program.

Gendron admitted that CDS was a victim of the need to flat-fund many of her department’s accounts. She said the program’s costs continue to escalate and that it was critical to bring those costs down. Gendron said she was confident that savings could be found once the department completed a review of CDS that was instituted in September.

“I want to assure all of the concerned individuals who are here that my recommendations are always to keep at the forefront the needs and concerns of the children of Maine,” said Gendron. “It is not my intention to change or modify existing family service plans.”

If the legislators were looking for an example of what CDS can do, Milford resident Scott Hayden and his 5-year-old daughter, Jessica, provided them an opportunity. While discussions on a wide range of matters were taking place around them, Hayden and his daughter patiently entertained each other for about five hours until it came his turn to testify.

In a voice choked with emotion, Hayden explained that Jessica had been diagnosed with bilateral hearing loss at the age of 18 months. Though his “family’s dreams came crashing down” that day, Hayden said the efforts of CDS produced happiness.

Through the program Jessica received a hearing implant and is prepared to enter kindergarten next year. It was likely she would no longer need CDS services at that time, he said.

“Jessica is no longer silent and neither is the world around her,” said Hayden.

Hayden said had his daughter’s disability gone undetected, the cost to the state for Jessica’s special education would run more than $1 million during her school years. Early detection saved the state money in the long run, he argued.

“Short-term savings will only have a devastating effect on children,” said Hayden.

Gendron explained that the department was seeking ways to “collaborate” with the various service providers to maintain CDS while at the same time reducing costs. She said despite the money devoted to the program over the years, long waiting lists for children needing services were a constant problem. The waiting lists violate federal regulations and Gendron said the state needed to find ways to serve those children in need better.

“It is not my intent to curtail services but to look at how to provide quality services in an efficient manner,” she said.

However, when pressed by the committee, Gendron acknowledged that program costs were a factor in her decision.

“Bottom line, part of my responsibility was to balance this budget,” she said.

Sen. John Martin, D-Eagle Lake, described CDS as a “locally driven issue” that the state had very little control over. Martin said that in his more than two decades as a legislator, the cost of funding CDS had always been a major concern. Martin commended Gendron for attempting to manage its budget but questioned her ability to pull it off.

“I’m not sure of the implementation, but I will say that your goal is the best I’ve seen in more than 20 years on CDS,” said Martin.

The committee will hold additional work sessions and hearings on the issue in the months ahead before making a decision.