Developmental Disability News for Week Ending Oct. 31, 2025

October 30, 2025
The Boost News

SPOTLIGHT: Direct Support Workforce

REPORT: The State of America’s Direct Support Workforce Crisis 2025

ANCOR’s sixth annual survey of the ways community-based providers of disability services are feeling the impact of the direct support workforce crisis is as troubling as you’d expect.

Its executive summary notes that “threats to the system of community-based supports for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) seem to be coming from all angles as of late.

“States confronting budget shortfalls due to expiring COVID-era funding have or are considering slashing resources from an already-deprived system.

“Meanwhile, states that haven’t been forced to consider cuts are likely to do so in 2026 and beyond as they prepare for nearly $1 trillion in reduced federal Medicaid funding as a result of the budget reconciliation legislation signed into law on July 4, 2025.”

For details, download the full report.

GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

Explainer: What the Government Shutdown Means for SNAP, WIC, and Disability Programs (AAPD)

Plain Language Explainer: The Government Shutdown (ASAN)

Government Shutdown Has Disability Providers ‘Running On Fumes’ Operations including civil rights investigations at the U.S. Department of Education are at a standstill. (The New Yorker has an in-depth look at the abandonment of civil rights litigation and while it doesn’t touch specifically on special education, it’s worth a read.)

SNAP

Democratic AGs and governors sue USDA for suspending SNAP benefits (NPR)

What You Need to Know About SNAP and WIC if the Government Shutdown Continues (The Arc)

Federal government shutdown threatens SNAP food aid as several states scramble to help State responses have been mixed and temporary solutions are not expected to make up for the shortfall. (AP)

Choosing to let kids go hungry (Popular Info)

STATE NEWS

Cornell’s new interactive map shows ‘sobering’ impact of federal cuts on New York State (NY State of Politics)

“Largest Medicaid fraud scheme ever prosecuted” NY couple accused of stealing nearly $3M (CBS6)

NY school students restrained, put in time out over 20K times last year The state required public schools to report incidents for the first time last year. (Times Union)

Increase in restraints for Pa. students with disabilities sparks concerns Schools have been restraining children with disabilities at rates that the State Department of Education Secretary considers alarming. (NBC10)

Alabama Medicaid Gaps Leave Dentists Overwhelmed and Patients in Pain (Governing.com)

NJ’s health system has a huge gap in care for people with disabilities on Medicaid (Northjersey.com)

‘Broken’ and inequitable Michigan special education funding needs an overhaul, report says (Chalkbeat)

Mississippi opens long-term pediatric medical center for youth with complex medical conditions (AP)

CAREGIVING

America’s Caregiving Crisis Is Getting Worse Research from the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP finds that 63 million Americans, nearly one in four adults, now serve as family caregivers. An increase of 20 million from 2015 to 2025. (Next Avenue)

A caregiver’s survival guide: Advice from people who’ve been there (NPR)