Governor Tom Corbett’s 2013-14 budget will set aside nearly $20 million to provide home and community-based services for approximately 1,200 Pennsylvania adults with intellectual disabilities.
 
The proposal reduces a waiting list for services for adults with intellectual disabilities. Intellectual disabilities - such as Down syndrome, autism or Fragile X syndrome – originate before the age of 18 and provide significant limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior, affecting many everyday social and practical skills.
 
The Department of Public Welfare (DPW), has more than 3,500 individuals in the emergency category who have been identified as needing services within the next six months.
 
The 2013-14 proposal aims to provide for people waiting for services, including adults from the emergency waiting list, those waiting to receive autism services, and special education graduates.
 
Many of the individuals with intellectual disabilities “age out” of receiving special education services when graduating high school or live at home with an elderly caregiver or single parent that must split time between full-time employment and care giving duties.
 
For more information, visit www.pa.gov.