Transcript Jamie Kendall, ADD-ACF

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

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 selfdetermination, 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.
Funding Amounts
State Councils on Developmental Disabilities
$ 74,915,868
Protection and Advocacy
$ 40,941,952
Projects of National Significance
$ 14,133,676
University Centers on Excellence in Disabilities
$ 38,865,114
Help America Vote Act
$ 17,375,180
Total
$ 186,231,690
 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