Midland’s President & CEO, Mr. Shawn McInerney sent the following letter to all members of the State Senate and Assembly Budget Committees, including Senator Andrew Zwicker, who paid visit to Midland in June. Senator Zwicker represents the 16th District, which includes Branchburg, and is a member of the State Senate Budget Committee.
Dear Senators,
Thank you for providing an opportunity to offer input on the recommended Fiscal Year 2024 Budget.
To begin, thank you for all of your ongoing support to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).
My name is Shawn McInerney, and I am the President/CEO of The Midland Organization. Midland operates a school for children with multiple disabilities. Our organization also provides services and supports for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities including group homes, apartments, employment, prevocational and day habilitation services. We also are a member of the New Jersey Association of Community Providers.
On behalf of the entire community of provider organizations, we are grateful for the support that has been provided, especially through the unprecedented and challenging times that have persisted throughout the Public Health Emergency. Fortunately, our nation has witnessed a substantial reduction in arresting the rates of COVID transmission and reducing the number of hospitalizations and other more serious outcomes.
I am writing to advocate and respectfully request an additional 2.5% increase to the entire system of support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, which has been historically underfunded.
Midland operates well-established programs for adults with I/DD. We have worked hard to ensure that we have a well-trained staff. Their work is quite demanding. We are very committed to providing services and supports that afford each individual the opportunity to be a member of their community. Parents and other family members of individuals are relying on us to provide very good outcomes for their family members.
The rates to provide these services are far from adequate or equitable. This year alone, Midland’s adult programs are projecting a loss of over one million dollars. Needless to state, these types of losses, over time, are unsustainable. We continue to seek ways to contain costs. However, there is only so much that can be done to identify efficiencies without compromising quality, safety or security of those we serve and support.
We are grateful for the 3% that is already in the projected Fiscal Year 2024 budget, however, we respectfully request an additional 2.5% increase for a total increase of 5.5% in the State’s Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Bill. Inflationary factors of food, new vehicle fuel, energy and health insurances coupled with other factors continues to erode the fiscal stability of organizations. The public private partnership necessary to support individuals with I/DD and help their families is in significant peril. The State of New Jersey has been underfunded for far too long. Specifically, the State of New Jersey acknowledged at the onset of Fee For Service seven years ago, that funding was only at 87% of what was necessary and adequate to fully fund the system.
Many organizations like Midland cannot sustain ongoing year after year losses, with some agencies being compelled to significantly reduce or eliminate services due to inadequate funding. The challenges with staff recruitment and retention have created higher staff vacancies resulting in increased overtime. Throughout our nation, many states are experiencing a system of services that are stressed and likely to collapse. Individuals who are graduating from school are having an extremely, if not impossible, time with securing appropriate adult day program or employment services.
Historically, New Jersey has prided itself on being a leader in supporting individuals with I/DD and helping their families. In order to maintain this leadership status, it remains imperative to ensure that programs are funded at requisite levels to maintain quality and ensure health, safety, and welfare. This is particularly critical during these challenging fiscal times.
I thank you in advance for your continued support and advocacy.
Best regards,
Shawn M. McInerney
President and CEO, Midland
From left to right: Midland’s President & CEO, Mr. Shawn McInerney (right) with Senator Andrew Zwicker (left) during the Senator’s visit to Midland in June.