What’s happening in California, and the federal government Impacting DD Services

A brief summary of current issues and your chance to participate.

Submitted by Connie Boyar, SF Autism Society Advocacy Chair

2026. The “Big Beautiful Bill”/ federal budget reconciliation bill will affect California DD system in several ways according to Disability Rights California. These cuts may be seen as early as July 2026 and likely after the mid-term elections in Nov 2026.

• The federal cuts to Medicaid will have a major impact on California’s budget by the estimated loss of $30 billion in federal funding estimated by California’s governor. This means that the state legislature will have two choices: cut spending by cutting services, or find more revenue through taxes or the rainy day fund.
• California’s Medicaid/MediCal waiver program like the HCBS Home and Community Based Alternatives Waiver, which funds services like supported living, respite, Independent living, camp, many other regional center services, and more are considered optional under the federal Medicaid law. If the state has less money to spend on Medicaid/MediCal overall because of the federal cuts, then the state may look at these so-called optional programs to cut spending.
• What we can do, starting now, is to continue to engage state legislators to stress the importance of these essential HCBS services to your loved ones and the importance of not making cuts to essential services.
• B. Pete Pete Cervinka, Director of the Department of Developmental Services, will present a virtual webinar on October 9 and October 21 on the Life Outcomes Improvement System (LOIS). This new online platform aims to better support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, regional centers, and service providers. To learn more and share your thoughts about what should be included in LOIS, the Department has launched a series of listening sessions throughout the state both in person and virtual. These are the remaining dates for the LOIS listening session: Register online:
• Virtual, October 9, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm (Register) https://cal-dds.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__vL2TRXIRgWpsnmxr9YeQQ#/registration
• Virtual, October 21, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm (Register) https://cal-dds.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__vL2TRXIRgWpsnmxr9YeQQ#/registration
• C. Good news: The governor’s proposed cap on IHSS overtime hours did not pass. IHSS providers can continue to work overtime and claim travel hours as they have previously, with the maximum hours remaining at 66 hours per week (26 hours of overtime + 40 regular hours) .
• State Council for Developmental Disabilities SCDD is in the process of developing a 5-year plan for the future. They want your input. Go to: https://scdd.ca.gov/stateplandevelopment/ to learn more and register.