Gov. Maura Healey signed off on the final FY ’25 budget this afternoon, a $57.8 billion spending plan that allocates a record amount of funds to the human services sector and includes language that would create a study of the pay disparity between community-based human services workers and state employees with similar jobs.
The budget includes $390 million for the Chapter 257 Reserve, representing an increase of $160 million, or nearly 70%, from FY ’23. (The Council compared the Chapter 257 line item to the FY ’23 budget, rather than the FY ’24 budget, because the number of Chapter 257 rates reviewed by EOHHS alternate in proportion every other year.)
The inclusion of language to create a study of the pay disparity between community-based human services workers and state employees with similar jobs is also a big win for the human services sector and Council members. The language comes directly from the reporting component of our livable wage bill that did not advance this session. Thanks to Council members who made phone calls and contacted your legislators in support of the language, which had only been present in the Senate budget. We also appreciate the efforts of The Caring Force, who sent more than 800 emails to legislators in support of this critical report.
The preliminary analysis from the Providers’ Council, which tracks frequently discussed human services line items, is located here. To discuss any of these line items or ask that other line items be tracked, please contact Caroline O’Neill.
Gov. Healey reduced the Conference Committee’s budget proposal by around $317 million, which included cuts to several human services line items the Council tracks:
- DYS line item 4200-0300 – Residential Services for Committed Population – dropped to $118.6 million, a decrease of $1.2 million.
- DTA line item 4400-1000 – DTA Administration & Operation – dropped to $102.3 million, a decrease of $661,145.
- DTA line item 4408-1000 – Emergency Aid to Elderly, Disabled & Children – dropped to $179.5 million, a decrease of $3.7 million.
- DPH line item 4512-0200 – Bureau of Substance Addiction Services – dropped to $194.4 million, a decrease of $18.2 million.
- DCF line item 4800-0038 – Services for Children and Families – dropped to $368.9 million, a decrease of $5.5 million.
- DMH line item 5046-0000 – Adult Mental Health and Support Services – dropped to $612.9 million, a decrease of $9.5 million.
You can view the full budget here.
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