August 2025 Highlights and Hot Topics
The August 2025 issue of Highlights & Hot Topics includes a message from our executive director, an update on our public input sessions, a public policy update, information about one of our community living initiatives, redesigned website announcement, and upcoming webinars hosted by NCCDD. Articles are also available in Spanish and audio.
- Message from the Executive Director
- NCCDD Hits the Road to Meet the Public, Learns What Matters to People with I/DD
- Public Policy Update (as of 8/25/25)
- Training First Responders to Protect and Connect with the Autism and I/DD Community
- Check Out Our New and Improved Website!
- Upcoming NCCDD Webinars in September
- BoletĂn en español
- Newsletter in Accessible Audio
Message from the Executive Director
At the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities, we are traveling across the state listening to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and family members about their needs at public input sessions. The stories that are often the hardest to hear come from individuals with I/DD and parents who are afraid what will happen after parents pass away or are no longer able to provide support for a family member with I/DD. We have heard from parents whose adult children do not have the Innovations Waiver after waiting for more than ten years for services. We have also heard from people with I/DD who are thriving because they have the Waiver or 1915(i) services, but they are concerned about what will happen when the Medicaid cuts occur.
On top of all of this, families and individuals with I/DD are deeply concerned because the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS) recently announced that it will cut Medicaid rates due to a budget shortfall. The I/DD community is facing between 3% and 10% cuts for various services. The impact will be felt much broader throughout many sectors from hospitals to services of cuts. The reason for the cuts is a shortfall of $319 million dollars for the upcoming year for Medicaid expenditures, according to NC DHHS. Many hope the General Assembly and NC DHHS can work together on solutions to avoid these cuts.
While the challenges are daunting, I continue to be impressed with our community. There is so much care, concern, love, and support. We have seen it in Wilmington, New Bern, Boone, Lumberton, Guilford County, and Cary. People with I/DD are living extraordinary lives across our state. We just have to do everything we can to support our community to thrive by ensuring people have what they need.
It is a lot. But our community is constantly overcoming obstacles, and I am grateful to be part of this community even in challenging times.
Talley Wells, NCCDD Executive Director
NCCDD Hits the Road to Meet the Public, Learns What Matters to People with I/DD
In August, The North Carolina Council for Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD) hit the road across the state and hosted five public input sessions from Boone to Wilmington.
The sessions invited the community to share what they want to see when it comes to I/DD services, supports, and opportunities in the next five to 15 years in North Carolina.
Held both in-person or hybrid formats, families and individuals shared what they would like to see improve in the state they call home.
Input included a call for better early intervention services, more affordable housing/healthcare, caregiver oversight, paratransit issues and more.
Public Input Session held in Cary, NCThe conversations did not forget to address the 19,000+ waiting list for the Innovations waiver and how many families must wait for more than nine years, as more names get added every day.
NC lawmakers like Senator Sydney Batch attended the input session in Cary, listening and addressing many of the issues that are at the top of the communityâs mind. She also reminded people that building relationships with your lawmakers throughout the year is of utmost importance.
âOne of the things that is really important is that we have to talk to our lawmakers directly,â said Senator Batch. âOftentimes, we hear a lot of complaints when there is a bill that is moving through the legislature. But, we do not have sustainable relationships with people in our communities and in our districts. And many people I serve with are motivated by people who can vote them in and out of office. So that is why we need to hear directly from you on what matters to you.â
The input sessions are part of NCCDDâs bigger focus to build its next Five Year State Plan. Using the input received, the Council will develop a plan and goals to improve services and supports for people with I/DD across the state.
The Council is hosting a final virtual public input session in September and also seeking input in its survey. The deadline for the survey, available in English and Spanish, is September 30, 2025. Links to the survey are available on the NCCDD website.
September Public Input Sessions Schedule
Winston-Salem, NC - September 2, 2025 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Location: Central Library Auditorium, 660 W. 5th St., Winston-Salem, NC, 277101
Registration Link: https://forms.gle/PxsKVknb8kv7g1Mu8
Asheville, NC - September 16, 2025 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Location: Western MAHEC, 121 Hendersonville Road, Asheville, NC, 28803
Registration Link: https://forms.gle/2RzocCnFAzHTspUq9
Statewide - September 30, 2025 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Location: Virtual (ZoomGov)
Registration Link: https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/X8j7XU0YSp6_ccjAbZJwZA
Public Policy Update as of August 25, 2025
State
Legislative and Policy
The North Carolina legislature adjourned without a budget earlier this year but reconvened in late July and passed a âmini-budgetâ. As expected, there was no funding for Innovations or Traumatic Brain Injury waiver slots, and no direct support professional (DSP) wage increases. It also included:
- Cuts to crisis beds across the state
- No funding for Health Opportunities Program
- $600 million for Medicaid Rebase and Medicaid Oversight Fund â this is $319 million less than what the Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHS) determined was needed for Medicaid rebase. (Medicaid Rebase is funding needed to maintain current Medicaid services for the upcoming year.)
In response to the shortfall for Medicaid Rebase, an announcement came out on August 11, 2025 from DHHS Secretary Sangvai indicated the following cuts:
- Rate reductions of 3% across all providers, including for the Innovations Waiver
- Rate reductions of 8% for ICFs
- Rate reduction of 10% for inpatient, PRTFs, RB-BHT (intervention for autism)
- Elimination of certain services altogether â GLP-1 treatment for obesity
The legislature will continue to convene for very short sessions over the next few months:
- August 26, 2025, to August 28, 2025
- September 23, 2025, to September 25, 2025
- October 7, 2025
- October 28, 2025, to October 30, 2025
- November 5, 2025, with no adjournment date.
Your voice is needed to let decision-makers know the impact of rate cuts on the ability to hire and pay DSPs a fair wage, and to support people with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD) in their communities.
Bills that passed before adjournment and signed into law
HB 1012: Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 (SL2025-26)
This bill provides additional money and extends some regulatory flexibilities for communities impacted by Hurricane Helene and wildfires.
HB 67: Healthcare Workforce Reforms
This legislation enacts comprehensive healthcare workforce reforms in North Carolina. Of specific interest to the I/DD community, this bill expands the qualifications for Associate Professional and Qualified Professional to include community college graduates with associate degrees in human services fields and appropriate experience.
New Resource â Disability Benefits 101 (DB101)
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services launched a resource to help people with disabilities in the workforce. The goal is to simplify how to apply for, access and understand public benefits. The website provides guidance on navigating programs such as social security disability insurance, food and nutrition services and Medicaid. For more information: https://nc.db101.org
Federal Update
Reconciliation
In the July edition of NCCDDâs Highlight and Hot Topics, the effects of the reconciliation bill (H.R.1), which was signed into law on July 4, 2025, were highlighted. This bill enacts the largest cuts to Medicaid in U.S. history. Key provisions of concern include:
- Increased frequency of Medicaid eligibility redeterminations which will put additional work on already overwhelmed NC county Department of Social Services and other state agencies. (Jan 2027).
- Limitations of provider taxes which place pressure of overall state budgets which could lead to rate cuts and reduction in services that are covered.
- Community Engagement Requirements (Work Requirements) which adds administrative burden and pressure on the Medicaid system. While people with disabilities are exempt from this requirement, the administrative burden will fall on individuals, as well as local and state agencies, to prove exemption or completion of the 80 hours.
- Cost Sharing (co-pays) for certain services. While the number of people with IDD directly impacted by this provision, these types of requirements for co-pays which cannot be collected, result in a rate reduction for providers.
Advocacy on the state level will be important to protect access to home and community-based services (HCBS) and other optional services.
Federal Budget and Appropriations Process
FY26 appropriations are different from H.R.1, or the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act. H.R.1 was passed into law using the budget reconciliation process in July.
With government funding set to expire on September 30, 2025, the appropriations committees in Congress are working to finalize government spending levels for the coming fiscal year.
Senate has begun work on FY26 appropriations. Three appropriations bills have been approved â including Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies which is where many programs related to I/DD are funded. This bill did not include the cuts to UCEDDS suggested by the Administration/Presidentâs budget.
The process for FY 2026 budget is still in progress, with the Senate considering additional measures and amendments. Appropriation bills must still be passed by both the House and the Senate and signed into law by the President. There will be ongoing negotiations and potential disagreements between branches of government about the budget.
Your voice is important in the on-going budget process!
Training First Responders to Protect and Connect with the Autism and I/DD Community
People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and autism are more likely to come in contact with police and other first responders. Furthermore, communication barriers and misunderstood behaviors lead to unnecessary arrests, injuries, and even death. Yet many first responders have little or no training on how to navigate interactions with this population safely.
Dustin Chandler (right) and a self-advocateTo address this gap, the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD) funded a pilot safety training in Buncombe County led by Dustin Chandler, President and Co-Founder of Interaction Advisory Group. Over four hours, 34 officers and cadets from 12 law enforcement agencies practiced communication and de-escalation strategies to improve interactions with people with I/DD and autism.
âThe goal wasnât to tell officers how to police,â said Chandler, âbut to challenge them and give them tools to make adjustments in the field.â That could mean finding alternatives to jail or slowing down an interaction to give people time to process and respond.
An important part of the training was the involvement of self-advocates, who shared their lived experiences directly with participants. âSelf-advocates enrich the training exponentially,â Chandler said. âThose taking the class can ask them really engaging questions, and by sharing their experiences, self-advocates become empowered in their own lives.â Their presence helps first responders see the person, not just the âtextbookâ situation. This helps in building trust and connecting with I/DD community members who often feel isolated.
Deputy Director of Law Enforcement Training, Chief (ret) C. Jeff Augram reflected on the program, saying, âIt was powerful bringing local individuals living full lives with I/DD into the classroom. This inclusion has been transformative by bringing firsthand perspectives which foster mutual respect and shift common misunderstandings into empathy and partnership.â
If continued fundin
Dustin Chandler (right) and a self-advocateg is approved, the program will expand to train the entire Raleigh Police Department (700 to 800 officers). Self-advocates will remain at the center of the program, and online training modules are being developed to extend the programâs reach.
Chandlerâs vision is for every first responder in North Carolina (and beyond) to receive this training before entering the field. âThe skills officers develop in this training â patience, empathy, better communication â improve interactions with everyone, not just the I/DD and autism community.â
The expected impact is clear: more individuals with I/DD, their caregivers, and first responders will stay safe during crisis situations. By including self-advocates in the training, the program also strengthens human connections, helping first responders and the disability community work together toward safer, more connected communities.
Learn more about this initiative on NCCDDâs website.
Check Out Our New and Improved Website!
The North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD) recently launched an updated website at nccdd.org. The new site makes it easier to find resources, event information, and Council updates.
The site is now more compatible with mobile devices, including phones, tablets, and assistive technology programs, such as screen readers. It also uses plain language so information is clear and easy to understand.
These updates help all visitors access the information they need quickly and with fewer barriers.
Upcoming NCCDD Webinars in September
The North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD) offers several monthly webinars to help you stay educated and informed. All meetings are free and open to the public. Stay informed and become involved in important conversations â thereâs something for everyone in the I/DD community!
Policy Education Meeting
Thursday, September 11, 2025 from 10:30 a.m. to Noon
Learn about important updates about state and federal policies, budget developments, and other issues that affect people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). There will also be time for questions and open discussion. Please note that NCCDD only provides public policy education. The Council does not lobby on specific legislation.
Register here: https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItdu-uqD8oHpxzFX9FiES_lSmk_8OP4r4#/registration
Self-Advocate Discussion Series: Public Input for NCCDD's Five-Year Plan
Wednesday, September 17, 2025 from 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
This will be a Developmental Disabilities Public Input Session for individuals with developmental disabilities, families and the community. We want to hear from you on:
- Your disability related priorities (school, Medicaid, employment, and more)
- Your hopes and dreams
- Hurricane Helene
This will help NCCDD plan our work as your developmental disability organizations for the next five years and to take your opinions to state and local leaders.
Register here: https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIscuqsqTIuHKmNsMe66wT4whwK0hPGVAM#/registration
El Consejo Presenta: IntroducciĂłn a la serie de videos de la ADA
(The Council Presents: Introduction to the ADA Video Series)
Thursday, September 25, 2025 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Note: This presentation is in Spanish. English interpretation is offered upon request. Submit accommodation and language services requests to
Ănase al Consejo de Discapacidades de Desarrollo de Carolina del Norte (NCCDD) durante su prĂłximo seminario web "The Council Presents" el 25 de septiembre de 2025 a la 1 p.m. para una introducciĂłn a la nueva serie de videos de la Red Nacional de la ADA, "Ley de Estadounidenses con Discapacidades y Serie de Videos de Comunidades de Habla Hispana".
Durante el seminario web, el personal de la Red Nacional de la ADA brindarå una descripción general de cómo se hizo la serie de videos, los objetivos de la serie y el tema de cada video. También hablarån sobre las barreras para comprender sus derechos bajo la ADA y cómo hacer cumplir esos derechos. La serie de videos cuenta con el apoyo financiero del Instituto Nacional de Investigación sobre la Discapacidad, la Vida Independiente y la Rehabilitación (NIDILRR, por sus siglas en inglés).
RegĂstrate aquĂ: https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/3IH21vtqTE2R5A5GeI3hXw#
English:
Join the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD) during its next âThe Council Presentsâ webinar on September 25, 2025 at 1 p.m. for an introduction to the ADA National Networkâs new video series, âAmericans with Disabilities Act and Spanish Speaking Communities Video Series.â This presentation is in Spanish. English interpretation is offered upon request. Submit accommodation and language services requests to
During the webinar, the ADA National Network staff will give an overview on how the video series was made, the goals of the series, and the topic for each video. They will also talk about barriers to understanding your rights under the ADA and how to enforce those rights. The video series is supported by funding from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).
Register here: https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/3IH21vtqTE2R5A5GeI3hXw#
BoletĂn en español
ÂĄMuy pronto!
Newsletter in Accessible Audio