SEMO Alliance for Disability Independence (SADI)

02/08/2026

🚨 Action Needed: Proposed Budget Cut for Day Habilitation Services🚨

If you haven’t already, please consider submitting online public testimony for this budget bill. The deadline is Wednesday, February 10, at 11:59 p.m. You can submit your testimony using the link attached.

Families, providers, staff, and community members can make their voices heard by submitting witness testimony for the upcoming House Budget hearing.

📝 Submit testimony
📅 Hearing date: February 11
📌 Select HB 2010 – Appropriations
📌Select "In Opposition To" and submit your statement and personal information

Personal stories matter. Even written testimony helps legislators understand the real-life impact of these decisions.

02/06/2026

We know we have been sharing a lot of information regarding these proposed cuts, but that is because we know the importance of the services.

Here is more information for those that want to see a breakdown of the proposed cuts.

02/06/2026

Below is a list of all 31 Representatives on the House Budget Committee. These are the Reps you need to be contacting as they will meeting next week on the proposed budget cuts to the day habilitation rate.

Dirk.Deaton@house.mo.gov

Bishop.Davidson@house.mo.gov

Betsy.Fogle@house.mo.gov

John.Black@house.mo.gov

Mitch.Boggs@house.mo.gov

Darin.Chappell@house.mo.gov

Mazzie.Christensen@house.mo.gov

KimberlyAnn.Collins@house.mo.gov

Scott.Cupps@house.mo.gov

Melissa.Douglas@house.mo.gov

Stephanie.Hein@house.mo.gov

Jim.Kalberloh@house.mo.gov

Nick.Kimble@house.mo.gov

Ed.Lewis@house.mo.gov

Cathyjo.Loy@house.mo.gov

John.Martin@house.mo.gov

Don.Mayhew@house.mo.gov

Bill.Owen@house.mo.gov

Cameron.Parker@house.mo.gov

Raychel.Proudie@house.mo.gov

Louis.Riggs@house.mo.gov

Greg.Sharpe@house.mo.gov

Kathy.Steinhoff@house.mo.gov

Mike.Steinmeyer@house.mo.gov

Kemp.Strickler@house.mo.gov

Del.Taylor@house.mo.gov

Tim.Taylor@house.mo.gov

Jeff.Vernetti@house.mo.gov

John.Voss@house.mo.gov

Christopher.Warwick@house.mo.gov

Yolanda.Young@house.mo.gov

02/06/2026

Please help us keep this fight alive. We still have time! Last night, our story was shared on the news, and today we are sending a video of our day habilitation program to Missouri legislators- so they can see the faces behind SADI and the lives that would be impacted by these proposed cuts.

02/05/2026

There is a proposed state budget change that could have a major impact on day habilitation services for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

What is being proposed?
• The legislature is considering a 33% cut to the day habilitation rate
• Providers were given no advance notice
• The last rate study was completed in 2022 and did not fully account for staffing realities, absences due to illness and weather and the true cost of safely providing quality services.

Despite this, the cut is being pushed forward without updated data or provider input.

Why this matters to families?
Day Habilitation:
• Allows parents and caregivers to work
• Provides a safe, structured environment
• Supports learning, peer socialization, independence, and community involvement
• Helps prevent caregiver burnout and crisis situations

Cuts of this size could lead to:
• Reduced programming
• Staff shortages
• Program closures
• Fewer options for families statewide

How YOU can help right now. Please act quickly to ensure your voice is heard.

Call or email your state legislators and share your family’s story (attach pictures and videos) - explain how day habilitation supports your loved one and your ability to work. Tell them to come and tour our day program. (Legislatures listed at the end of the email)

Ask for:
• No cuts to day habilitation rates
• Transparency in the upcoming rate study
• Provider and family input at the table
• Protection of essential DD services

Share this post to help spread the word!

Our voices matter and decisions made now will affect families for years to come. Thank you for standing with us and advocating for the individuals we support every day.

House Budget Committee:
Rep. Cameron Parker, Dist. 150; Counties- Dunklin, Pemiscot, Butler
Phone: 573-751-3629
Email: cameron.parker@house.mo.gov

Rep. John Voss, Dist. 147; Counties- Cape Girardeau
Phone: 573-751-1443
Email: john.voss@house.mo.gov

A one-third cut to disability day programs is sparking concern among Missouri families.

02/04/2026

Please sign this petition concerning cuts to services that impact Individuals with Special Needs that attend Day Habilitation. Cuts to these programs will be devastating for the consumers and their families.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdMTJJf-VyRGs0a7_5oqfPpU8E4lIJ2XmMqoJOkD5w82V2DZQ/viewform?fbclid=IwVERTSAPwnuNleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR6fZinGA8KiuIJijdYFK2LWSQ0ENpw8cW1UgU1bnYQKw_GKNp0rXvYCF_MIew_aem_S9NiqwF_1Vcwflbuh1PxoA&sfnsn=mo

The undersigned strongly oppose the proposed Missouri Department of Mental Health (DMH) Day Services budget cuts. Day Services are essential for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), providing life skills training, community inclusion, employment readiness, and daily st...

02/04/2026

💥Important Advocacy Alert for our Families and Community💥

We want to make you aware and ask for your assistance in advocating for day programs across the state of Missouri. There is a proposed state budget change that could have a major impact on day habilitation services for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

What is being proposed?
• The legislature is considering a 33% cut to the day habilitation rate
• Providers were given no advance notice
• The last rate study was completed in 2022 and did not fully account for staffing realities, absences due to illness and weather and the true cost of safely providing quality services.

Despite this, the cut is being pushed forward without updated data or provider input.

Why this matters to families?
Day Habilitation:
• Allows parents and caregivers to work
• Provides a safe, structured environment
• Supports learning, peer socialization, independence, and community involvement
• Helps prevent caregiver burnout and crisis situations

Cuts of this size could lead to:
• Reduced programming
• Staff shortages
• Program closures
• Fewer options for families statewide

How YOU can help right now. Please act quickly to ensure your voice is heard.

Call or email your state legislators and share your family’s story (attach pictures and videos) - explain how day habilitation supports your loved one and your ability to work. Tell them to come and tour our day program. (Legislatures listed at the end of the email)

Ask for:
• No cuts to day habilitation rates
• Transparency in the upcoming rate study
• Provider and family input at the table
• Protection of essential DD services

Share this post to help spread the word!

Our voices matter and decisions made now will affect families for years to come. Thank you for standing with us and advocating for the individuals we support every day.

House Budget Committee:
Rep. Cameron Parker, Dist. 150; Counties- Dunklin, Pemiscot, Butler
Phone: 573-751-3629
Email: cameron.parker@house.mo.gov

Rep. John Voss, Dist. 147; Counties- Cape Girardeau
Phone: 573-751-1443
Email: john.voss@house.mo.gov

02/04/2026

Michaela Benthaus recently became the first wheelchair user in space.

Severely injured in a mountain bike accident seven years ago, Michaela Benthaus became the first wheelchair user in space, launching from West Texas with Jeff Bezos’ company Blue Origin.

01/29/2026

Thank you to one of our wonderful SADI families for raising money for our Day Program through a school Passion Project. We appreciate the continued support that we receive from our community.

01/27/2026

The SADI office will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, January 27th due to hazardous road conditions. Stay safe and warm!

01/26/2026

The SADI office will be closed tomorrow, Monday, January 26th due to hazardous road conditions. Stay safe and warm!

01/22/2026

We know there has been no shortage of weather posts lately. We are not a weather page, but as conditions ramp up, storm safety becomes a public-safety issue, and that’s why you’ll see us sharing reminders like this.

Whether you’re on “team snow” or firmly in the “I’ll believe it when I see it” camp, a winter storm is forecast for Friday through Sunday. A little preparation now can make a big difference later.

A few simple things you can do ahead of time:

• Check your vehicle. Make sure you have fuel, windshield fluid, good tires, and a charged phone.
• Stock basic supplies. Food, water, medications, pet supplies, flashlights, and batteries.
• Plan for power outages. Know where your flashlights are and have a way to stay warm safely.
• Limit travel if conditions worsen. If you must drive, slow down and increase following distance.
• Check on neighbors and family, especially elderly or vulnerable individuals.
• Bring pets inside and protect exposed pipes and outdoor equipment.

We’ll continue to share updates and safety reminders as needed. Our goal is simple, help our community stay safe and prepared.

Stay warm and stay safe, Cape County.