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HHS Programs: Key features of programs funded by the Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) Jamie Kendall, Deputy Commissioner June 23, 2011. Myth: The Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) is a large program office
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HHS Programs: Key features of programs funded by the Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD)Jamie Kendall, Deputy CommissionerJune 23, 2011
Myth: The Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) is a large program office • Reality: ADD is a small program office with an oversized statutory mission, “to assure that individuals with developmental disabilities and their families participate in the design of and have access to needed culturally-competent community services, individualized supports, and other forms of assistance that promote self-determination, independence, productivity, and integration and inclusion in all facets of community life”
Myth: ADD has a substantial discretionary budget to support the efforts of the DD Network. • Reality: There are estimated to be approximately 5 million Americans with intellectual/developmental disabilities (consistent with the DD Act definition), and many of the efforts of our programs are cross-disability, serving many people with other disabilities as well, yet the agency budget for FY11 is about $186M.
Myth: The Developmental Disabilities Act, Federal legislation, focuses on the federal level • Reality: Although Federal legislation, our programs see the real action at the State level
Myth: ADD focuses upon providing direct service to people with DD. • Reality: ADD is responsible for four programs under the DD Act (DDC, UCEDD, P&A, PNS) and HAVA that are primarily focused upon systems change and capacity development, with some elements of direct service in all of the programs.
Myth: ADD oversees State DD agencies across the country. • Reality: The State DD Agencies work as partners (and sometimes adversaries!) with the ADD entities in each state, but they are state units that generally operate as a component of the State Medicaid Agency or as a State office with delegated authority through the State Medicaid agency to implement DD services.
Myth: ADD, because we are located at HHS within the Administration for Children and Families, we primarily serve children • Reality: ADD serves adults and children. We serve individuals and their families across the lifespan
Myth: Collaboration is new to our programs • Reality: DD Act programs are the embodiment of interoperability