"Developmental Disabilities in North Dakota: The 2004 Report" was released at the 2004 Governmental Affairs Conference in Fargo on October 8.

The Year 2004 Report is a study of the structure, financing and quality assurance of the state’s programs for people with developmental disabilities. The report documents the areas where North Dakota is doing well, and the areas where improvement is needed.

The report was researched and written by David L. Braddock, Ph.D. with the University of Colorado School of Medicine to update North Dakota residential and community services study completed two years ago. The report points to major accomplishments in the State; and some important continuing challenges.

Seven core challenges where identified in the report.

1) There has been a four-year decline in North Dakota's fiscal effort for developmental disabilities services. This trend needs to be reversed.

2) North Dakota should significantly expand home and community based services over the next decade. Home and community based services spending continues to lag the State's institutional spending.

3) North Dakota over-utilizes public and private 16+ institutions and 7-15 person residential settings. The downsizing and closure of state institutions and the development of community based housing on the scale of family homes have been primary trends in residential services in the United States.

4) North Dakota must maintain its leadership in supported living, spending for which declined from 200o to 2003.

5) Family support and supported employment spending has not grown since 1996.

6) Demand for develpmental disabilities services in North Dakota will be driven by: a) youth aging out of special education; b) individuals in public and private institutions requiring community homes and supported living; c) family support needs, including individuals residing with aging caregivers. These potential demographic and service system pressure points must be addressed.

7) Achieving adequate wage and benefit levels for direct care staff working with children and adults with developmental disablities is a critical issue.

Conclusion and Priorities

North Dakota has fared better than most states in teh recent financial crisis. As of May 2004, Federal Funds Information for States (2004) identified nine states and North Dakota as those with the strongest financial outlook for fiscal year 2005.

North Dakota, therefore, has a comparatively stronger state budget with which to address developmental disabilities service needs in Fiscal Year 2006 and possibly beyond. In this context, principal priorities for North Dakota in developmental disabilities services are:

1) Assuring that the state priority will be frowth of the Federal Home and Community Based Services Waiver used to finance community residential and related support services.
2)Reduce reliance on institutional funding for 16+ and 7-15 person residential settings. This entails continuing to reduce the census of public and private 16+ institutions including the Developmental Center at Grafton, and the development of appropriate community alternatives.

3) Increase the level of financial resources for family support, supported employment and for Individualized Supported Living Arragements(ISLA) and other supported living options to meet the ongoing need for these services.

4) Continuing to substantially enhance wages and benefits for direct support staff working with children and adults with developmental disabilities.

A full copy of the report is availabe in print or on CD-ROM by contacting The Arc, Upper Valley at (701) 772-6191 or toll-free at 1-877-250-2022. Members may request a copy free of charge. There is a $15 per copy charge for non-members.