“I am one of the fortunate parents whose special needs adult child is receiving services, but I worry about those who are not so lucky. And, I worry about the future of these programs. We rely on private providers, along with the state operated programs, and it is absolutely critical that we pass a budget this year that includes cost of living adjustments for our private providers. Private providers have been patient with us, but they have every right to be running out of patience,” said Senator Freedman.

Senator Freedman, whose daughter accompanied her to the hearing, said she knows first-hand the value of quality, privately-provided, services. And, she said that private providers need, and deserve, a sufficient level of state funding to continue providing the services that so many of Connecticut’s special needs citizens, and their families, rely upon.

“As a member of the General Assembly’s Appropriations Committee, I want to assure you that I will be in the trenches, leading the fight to make sure that the state includes a responsible, sufficient, level of funding in the state budget for our private providers,” said Senator Freedman.

The Human Services Committee held its Invitational Informational Forum on Private Provider Funding Issues at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford on March 29th.