03/16/2026
On Thursday, March 12th, clients, family members, staff, and others from Itineris gathered in Annapolis to join other supporters in a rally advocating for the protection of funding for services through the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA). Itineris’s ongoing commitment throughout this legislative session, combined with the collective efforts of our partners and supporters, demonstrates the power of unified advocacy and the impact we can have when we speak with one voice.
On Friday, March 13th, the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee finalized the Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) budget for the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA), which includes a 2% reduction in reimbursement rates for community providers, including Itineris. This reduction is compounded by a 0% rate increase in the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) budget, even as operating costs - including energy, utilities, transportation, food, and competitive wages for employees - continue to rise. These budget decisions place significant strain on providers like Itineris and are making it increasingly difficult to sustain the high-quality services on which our community depends.
We are deeply grateful to our partners and supporters who rallied alongside us in this critical effort. Special thanks to MACS, the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council, and leaders like Laura Howell, Greg Snyder, and Rachel London for fostering unity and resilience within our community. We also appreciate legislators such as Chairman Guy Guzzone, Senator McCray, Chairman Ben Barnes, and Delegate Emily Shetty for their unwavering commitment to lessening the impact of these budget changes on those we serve.
We are profoundly grateful to the advocates, self-advocates, families, clients, staff, and partner organizations who raised their voices on March 12th and throughout this legislative session. Your advocacy is indispensable, and together, we will continue to advocate for the protection of these vital services for our community.
