Family Forum

Welcome to the Family Forum – a dedicated space for families, advocates, and providers to stay informed and engaged in shaping healthcare and developmental disability services in Wyoming. Thanks to your powerful advocacy, all proposed reductions to the Developmental Disabilities Waiver program were restored in the final supplemental budget bill for the current biennium. Here, you’ll find updates on legislative actions, resources from past public forums, and tools to help you continue making your voices heard. Together, we can ensure that individuals with developmental disabilities and their families receive the support and services they need.

Main Page

Contact Your Legislator

Contact Govenor Gordon

Gov. Mark Gordon
State Capitol
200 W. 24th Street
Cheyenne, WY  82002
(307) 777-3909

https://governor.wyo.gov/contact

Governor Gordon's Constituents Services Representative:

Darlena Potter (darlena.potter@wyo.gov)

Additional Resources

Contact Information for Panelists

  • Shannon Buller, Executive Director, Wyoming Governor's Council for Developmental Disabilities

  • Jeff Gardner, Executive Director, Wyoming Community Service Providers

  • Buck Gwyn, Legal Director, Wyoming Protection and Advocacy System, Inc.

  • Sandy Hubert, Parent & WIND Consumer Advisory Council Coordinator

  • Brenda Oswald, President, Alliance for Self-Determination

  • Sandy Root-Elledge, Executive Director, Wyoming Institute for Disabilities

  • Bob Sell, President & CEO, Ark Regional Services Laramie

  • Jeanne Thobro, Chief Executive Officer, Wyoming Protection and Advocacy System, Inc.

Family Forum on Potential Impact of Budget Reductions on Medicaid Developmental Disability Waiver Services

Panel public forums were held January 26 & 27 to provide education to families that have members who receive services through the developmental disability waiver. Information for families was provided about the how the proposed state budget reductions might impact individuals and families.

Panel members included a family member, case manager, service provider and administrators of the Wyoming Community Service Providers Association, Wyoming Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities, Wyoming Institute for Disabilities, and Wyoming Protection & Advocacy System, Inc.

Participant Survey Results - Community Concerns about Proposed Budget Reductions Impacting Developmental Disability Waivers

Updates

On April 1, 2021 Governor Mark Gordon signed the State of Wyoming 66th Legislature's proposed supplemental budget into law.  Enrolled Act 45 can be found at https://wyoleg.gov/2021/Enroll/HB0001.pdf.

Enrolled Act 45 temporarily reinstates several budget reductions that were proposed in Governor Gordon's budget.  Page 29 of the bill (Section 048, 12(a)(iii)) restores $6,076,469.00 in state general funds, and the corresponding $6,076,469.00 in federal funds for Comprehensive and Supports Waiver (DD Waiver) services. This restoration of funds results in the following actions for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2022.

  • There will not be an additional 2.5% reduction to DD Waiver provider reimbursement rates.

  • There will not be a freeze on Extraordinary Care Committee (ECC) reviews; however, ECC requests must continue to meet the standards established in rule.

  • There will not be a freeze on the Support Waiver waitlist.  Individuals will be eligible for funding, as it becomes available, on a first come, first served basis.

  • Current individual budget amounts (IBAs) will not be adjusted on July 1, 2021; however, IBAs for new Comprehensive Waiver participants, ECC requests, and level of assessed need for existing waiver participants will be calculated using the established methodology.

  • DD Waiver services will not be eliminated.  The following services will continue to be available to participants through SFY 2022.

    • Dietician
    • Homemaker
    • Occupational therapy
    • Physical therapy
    • Skilled nursing
    • Speech, hearing, and language

It is important to note that these budget restorations are temporary.  The Wyoming Legislature will convene its 2022 Budget Session next February, and will continue to weigh Wyoming's revenue and expenditures in order to pass a balanced budget.

Advocacy

Wyoming Developmental Disabilities Network

The Wyoming Developmental Disabilities Network consists of three Wyoming partner agencies working together to address the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities.

Wyoming Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities

Wyoming Protection & Advocacy System, Inc.

Wyoming Institute for Disabilities

A circle divided into three parts showing the Wyoming DD network.