NASDDDS Survey on State Plans to Close or Downsize

In late October 2009, NASDDDS conducted a brief email survey of member state agency officials regarding the existence of plans to close or downsize large state-operated institutional programs in their respective states. Respondents were additionally requested to indicate whether or not their current plans were being implemented in response to financial considerations.

Total NASDDDS member state agencies: 51

Total number of states responding to the survey: 49 (96%)

Of the 49 responding states, 11 (22%) states reported that they had closed all state operated institutions for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Of the 38 states operating institutional programs that responded to the survey (unduplicated count):

4 (11%) states are planning to close one or more facilities and not downsize other programs or facilities.

14 (37%) states are planning to downsize existing facilities but not close any institutions.

5 (13%) states are panning to close one or more institutions and downsize additional facilities.

15 (39%) states have no plans to close or downsize state operated institutional programs.

Summarizing the results of the data from the 38 states reveals that:

9 states (24%) have plans to close one or more institutions.

19 states (50%) have plans to downsize programs, reducing the census of existing facilities.

Financial Impact

10 states (26%) made the decision to close and/or downsize IDD facilities due to financial reasons.

Of the 4 states with plans to close some facilities but not downsize others, three states are closing the facilities for financial reasons.

Of the 14 states with plans to downsize but not close facilities, three states are downsizing for financial reasons.

Of the 5 states with plans to both close and downsize existing facilities, three states made the decision for financial reasons.