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Easterseals Delaware & Maryland's Eastern Shore Easterseals Delaware & Maryland's Eastern Shore
A woman with a disability smiles to camera with her nurse

Be an Advocate

Success Through Advocacy

Advocacy Update: Progress Made, More Work Ahead

We're pleased to share encouraging news for Delawareans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families. Thanks to the leadership of Governor Matt Meyer and members of the Delaware General Assembly, the FY27 state budget includes an additional $10.5 million to support day and residential services for adults with I/DD.

A direct support professional sitting next to a man with disabilities in a wheelchair

This investment should help strengthen community-based services and support the Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) who make these programs possible. It also advances Delaware's commitment to ensuring that people with disabilities can live, work, and fully participate in their communities.

While this is an important step forward, the work isn't finished. Delaware has identified a funding shortage of more than $25.7 million for adult I/DD services. The new funding reduces that shortage but does not eliminate it. Continued investment is essential not only to recruit and retain DSPs but also to ensure that rising operational expenses — including health benefits, training, compliance requirements, facility costs, and other essential service delivery expenses — are addressed so providers can continue delivering the high-quality supports that individuals and families depend on.

Help Us Say Thank You

Advocacy works—and your voice makes a difference. Please take a few minutes to thank your state legislators and the Governor for supporting this important investment and encourage them to continue working toward fully funding adult I/DD services. Email Governor Meyer here.

To thank your state legislators, visit the Delaware General Assembly website and type in your address to identify your State legislators in Delaware. 

A graphic showing how to input your address in the Delaware legislator websit

Here are some talking points you can use in your email:

  • Thank you for supporting the additional $10.5 million for adult I/DD services in the FY27 budget.
  • This funding helps strengthen essential services and supports the Direct Support Professionals who provide them.
  • I appreciate your commitment to helping Delawareans with disabilities live, work, and participate fully in their communities.
  • Thank you for recognizing the importance of investing in these essential services. We look forward to continuing to work together to ensure they remain strong and sustainable for the future.  

 

Thank you for advocating for Easterseals services for people with disabilities!