September 8, 2025
Minutes
Minutes
Attendees via Zoom: Betsy Hopkins, Brett Bulmer, Carol Snyder, Darla Chafin, David Cowing, Debbie Dionne, Dylan Campbell, Jamie Whitehouse, Jen, Julianne Zaharis, Kate Turpen, Kim Humphrey, Libby Stone-Sterling, Lisa Wesel, Liz Burgess, Lucas Cuellar, Margaret Cardoza, Michaela York, Paula Bush, Peter Stuckey, Rachel Dyer, Robin Levesque, Sara Fleurant, Shane Ashe, Shelley Zielinksi, Stacy Lamontagne, Titus O’Rourke, Cullen Ryan, Vickey Merrill, and possibly a few people who joined after the meeting began and left prior to the conclusion of the meeting.
Cullen Ryan introduced himself and welcomed the group. Minutes from the last meeting were accepted.
Featured Speakers: Libby Stone-Sterling, Director, Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, Maine Department of Labor; Kate Turpen, Youth Self-Advocacy Project Director, Disability Rights Maine (DRM); and Dylan Campbell, Youth Coordinator and Parent Trainer, Maine Parent Federation (MPF). Topic: Maine’s Pathways to Partnerships (P2P) Grant: Promoting new self-advocacy opportunities for youth through innovative curricula for students and novel training approaches for educators and service providers.
Cullen: Today I am pleased to welcome Libby Stone-Sterling, Director of the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services with the Maine Department of Labor; Kate Turpen, Youth Self-Advocacy Project Director with Disability Rights Maine; and Dylan Campbell, Youth Coordinator and Parent Trainer with Maine Parent Federation. They will be presenting on Maine’s Pathways to Partnerships (P2P) grant, specifically on self-advocacy efforts. Thank you all for being here today!
Libby Stone-Sterling: Thank you for having us! Maine’s Pathways to Partnerships (P2P) grant is working to improve post-secondary education and employment outcomes for Maine youth with disabilities through implementation of innovative strategies for children and youth ages 10-24. We were here in February to provide a broad overview of P2P. Recognizing the importance of building self-advocacy skills early, P2P has selected Self-Advocacy as one of its model services. This is a team, across systems project. Today we will be sharing how we are collaborating to promote new self-advocacy opportunities for youth through innovative curricula for students and novel training approaches for educators and service providers.
Begin Presentation (Click here for the presentation).
Kate Turpen: The self-advocacy curriculum is a proposal for student lessons. When we make agreements with individual school districts, we’ll have direct conversations with teachers regarding the frequency they’d like us to come into the classroom. Students generally will not work as hard for teachers if teachers aren’t invested in the students succeeding. We’re finding that some students have been integrated into their IEPs sooner than others, whereas some students aren’t very integrated at all. There will be a full-day workshop in early 2026 for students and their families to spend time roleplaying activities such as participating in IEPs etc. Vision boards are a cool tool for students as well as to introduce Dylan into the mix.
Following direct instruction, we will implement in-person Disability Civil Rights Clubs at RSU 29 and 71, in addition to hosting a statewide, virtual group. (Click here to sign up for the statewide virtual Disability Rights Club.) This is a project-based component to this initiative for students to learn more about their disabilities and what they need to feel, think, and express most comfortably.
Another component to this project is professional development, which will offer trainings for teachers. This covers topics that are also applicable to families.
Dylan Campbell: With our two pilot schools we have some open houses set up and we hope to meet with teachers and staff and share some resources. We’re hoping to partner with some school districts to show them our Empower the Learner tool.
Empower the Learner: Empower the Learner is a comprehensive transition assessment which results in a thorough student portfolio which can grow with the student throughout their academic and professional careers. The portfolio is designed for the student to be able to communicate to teachers, providers, professionals, and their natural supports how they learn, their strengths and challenges, accommodations and modifications, and what they aspire to be. The tool is very adaptable for folks. The goal is to be able to share this with families and IEP/PCP teams, college admissions, etc. This process could start as early as age ten (10). A lot of what is in the tool isn’t new, but it’s putting it all in one area that can be published for people.
Dylan walked through an Empower the Learner sample template.
Discussion:
-A self-advocate stated that this is all wonderful to improve transition in Maine and this is exactly what this Coalition has been promoting. It’s great to see this transition work in action. She stated that the focus on self-identity and accepting all of oneself is wonderful. She stated that she and DRM staff had met with the Secretary of State regarding driver’s education and having it be fully inclusive. Civic education and learning about banking in school is important, including in special education, and is a form of self-advocacy.
Libby: Financial Literacy is another one of our model services in P2P!
Kate: I just had a meeting not too long ago with Key Bank, which has a whole series for high schoolers, about integrating this at Portland High School for all students.
-A former special educator stated that IEPs are legal documents and must be completed, but he also wanted to make them meaningful. He stated he did that by making sure students were actively involved in creating agenda for their IEP meetings and discussing their goals and objectives – things that they really wanted to do and then they could figure out how to get there. When a student ages out or graduate you’re required to fill out the Summary of Performance which includes post-secondary goals. This is a critical document to engage the student.
-A parent stated that this seems like it would be very useful for people, and it allows people to participate at different levels. This ought to be applied across everything.
Libby: We’re currently in the Belfast and Houlton area schools. We’re taking on some new schools around January. If there are school districts that any of you are aware of, that would be great to add or are in need of some additional help, please feel free to reach out to us (email: [email protected]).
-It was asked if there is a measurement tool to determine the program's success/outcomes.
Libby: Yes, we’re working with Northwestern University who are the evaluators for this project. Because it’s an innovation grant, we’re making changes in real time too.
Betsy Hopkins – DHHS-OADS: It’s wonderful to hear how the good work started with the Innovation Project is being carried forward and expanded. Building upon that foundation shows the commitment of this team to keep moving forward, learning, and making improvements that will make a real difference for individuals and families.
Libby: Yes, we’re worked hard with partners across organizations and are excited to partner and to continue to develop.
Cullen: I want to thank all of you for being here today and providing such an informative presentation. I love the broad collaboration and that so many organizations are involved. Thank you all for such a thoughtful and inclusive approach; well done!
End Presentation (round of applause would have occurred were it not for everyone being muted and on Zoom)
DHHS – Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) - www.maine.gov/dhhs/oads
Cullen: I wanted to mention that it is my understanding that Craig Patterson has recently retired and that Sara Fleurant will be taking over many of his responsibilities. I want to thank Craig for all of his efforts while he was at OADS. He was very dedicated to improving the lives of people with ID/DD. Paul Saucier, Director of OADS, also recently retired. Both Craig and Paul left significant legacies and were extremely committed to improving the system of care. Cullen and attendees offered gratitude to both for their long careers of service.
Betsy Hopkins (confirming both retirements and explaining the transition for Paul) Yes, he did, and he seems to be enjoying retirement though we were all sad to see him leave. He was an amazing supporter of all of our work over the course of the last six years. My understanding is that the Commissioner is moving ahead to fill that position and I hope that will happen within the next month.
Cullen: We were very lucky to have Paul and Craig!
Betsy: I wanted to share a few updates with the group.
Licensing Rule:
Some agencies that were previously licensed under the Assisted Housing Rule will have to transition their residential programs to the Home and Community Support Service Agencies Licensing Rule. The Emergency Rule is acting as a bridge for these providers until the Full Rule is finalized and adopted.
Home and Community Based Supports (HCBS) Sections 18, 20, 21, 29, and New Lifespan Waiver: Review of Final Draft Rates & Models: On September 11, 2025, the Department will present updates to the previously proposed final draft rates and models for Sections 18, 20, 21, 29, and the New Lifespan Waiver. The updates follow comments received from the public on the draft rates and models presented on April 14, 2025. The Department encourages providers and stakeholders to attend this presentation. See below for meeting details.
Meeting Details: Date/Time: Thursday, September 11, 2025, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Zoom Information: Link: Join from Zoom Workplace app or your browser Meeting ID: 974 0298 4974 Passcode: 765951
Please find all previously presented materials on the Rate System Reform webpage. For questions on this process please contact Jessica Levesque, MaineCare’s Rate Reform Lead. Have a suggestion for the next Annual Rate Determination Schedule? Suggestions can be submitted to [email protected]. Learn more about this process on the Rate System Reform webpage.
Lifespan Waiver: This is still under development. We’re hoping to provide a draft for public comment later this month.
Cullen: Thank you for being here and for these updates!
DHHS – Children’s Behavioral Health Services (CBHS), Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) - www.maine.gov/dhhs/obh/support-services/childrens-behavioral-health - No Update
DOL – Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) - www.maine.gov/rehab/dvr
Libby Stone-Sterling: The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation continues to have no waitlist for services in all priority categories. We’re running a pilot initiative called CREDQUEST – a four-track opportunity for adults with disabilities exploring construction, culinary, human services, and retail careers. We have about 50 people who have signed up – we filled up very quickly. They’re going through some instruction. They’re gaining credentials such as OSHA 10 safety certification, etc. Then they’re doing paid work experience at the end of the instruction period. After this first time, if it's successful we can continue, and then also build in other areas.
-It was asked where staffing for Voc Rehab stands.
Libby: We do have some openings, but currently we have a very good staffing pattern, which played a role in our ability to open the waitlist. We received some support through the past Budget cycle to get funding to support those positions.
-It was asked if there was any way of VR expanding the organizations they contract with for services.
Libby: We’ve tried lots of different models for job development and job coaching. Currently we have contracts with two agencies that cover the entire state. These large contracts ensure that every area is covered – which hasn’t always been the case. We’re always looking at whether this model meets our needs, if people are able to get those services, and looking at outcomes etc.
Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education (OSSIE) - www.maine.gov/doe/learning/specialed - No Update
Disability Rights Maine (DRM) Update:
Lucas Cuellar: DRM has joined the Save Maine Absentee Voting efforts. We’re ensuring as much as we can that people with disabilities in Maine have the same access to vote as anyone else. Additionally, we’re continuing to do as much outreach, especially in group homes, as we can.
-It was asked if work is still ongoing regarding sexual assault response etc.
Lucas: My colleague Sammy-Ellie had been working on an OVW (Office on Violence Against Women) grant and they have been able to secure an extension of time to continue that work to make sure that sexual assault response services are as robust as they can be and meeting the needs of people with disabilities in Maine. I imagine they will be requesting to come speak to this group about what’s going on with that grant work.
Cullen: Thank you for providing these updates!
Federal & Housing Updates:
Cullen: The biggest threat that we’re facing is Medicaid cuts, specifically and most recently in the Budget Reconciliation Bill (HR 1, One Big Beautiful Act) which was signed by the President on 7/4 (see below for more information). The entire Maine Delegation attempted to thwart efforts to include cuts to Medicaid in this reconciliation bill by voting against it. The cuts to Medicaid and SNAP will take effect in the fall of 2026, right around the Mid-Term Elections.
We continue to closely look for Executive Orders and other policy proposals which would affect housing, services, and other resources for people with ID/DD. When things arise, we will be sure to make you aware through action alerts.
Executive Orders – President Trump initiated a series of Executive Orders (EOs) which, if implemented/upheld by the courts, could make more difficult for everyone to access to an affordable, accessible home. Per NLIHC, the new Administration’s first actions include:
-Includes portions of the AHCIA: The bill does include key pieces of the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act (AHCIA) (S 1515 / HR 2725) that would expand and reform the LIHTC program.
Senate THUD Budget: The Senate passed its FY 26 THUD spending bill that would provide $73.3 billion for HUD, significantly more than the $67.8 billion provided for HUD in the House’s draft FY26 spending bill. Per NLIHC, like the House’s FY26 THUD spending proposal, the Senate’s proposal rejects the funding cuts and policy proposals in the Trump administration’s FY26 appropriations request, which would have overhauled and cut funding for rental and homelessness assistance programs. The bill includes:
Congressional Medicaid Proposals (including per capita cap and block grant proposals) – There are various Medicaid proposals floating around in Congress currently, including Medicaid Per Capita Cap policy proposals. Per CBPP: Recent proposals from Republican congressional leaders and a conservative think tank would impose a per capita cap on federal Medicaid funding or, similarly, turn Medicaid into a block grant. These proposals would dramatically change Medicaid’s funding structure, deeply cut federal funding, and shift costs and financial risks to states. Should this happen, faced with large and growing reductions in federal funding, states could cut eligibility and benefits, which could put millions of people at risk of losing health coverage and access to Medicaid-funded services. There are also various proposals from Republican Congressional leaders that would impose work requirements for Medicaid. Per CBPP: that 36 million Medicaid enrollees — including people in every state — could be at risk of losing their coverage under various proposals.
Federal Bills Introduced in the new Congress:
State Legislature Update
Cullen: This is a really good time to reach out to Legislators, especially ones in your district, to tell your story and advocate for necessary resources to meet the needs of people with ID/DD in Maine. The Second Session is scheduled to start January 7, 2026, and end in April 2026 – the “short session”. Cloture is September 26, 2025. Only bills deemed to be “emergency bills” and bills put forth by the Governor can be considered, along with bills that were carried over from the previous session.
As this group knows, there are a whole host of bills that either didn’t move through the House and Senate for votes for enactment or didn’t get funded off the Table. The vast majority of these bills were carried over into the next Legislative Session. And there are some bills that were enacted and sent to the Governor, but since the Legislature adjourned Sine Die, they were held by the Governor and will become law when the Legislature next convenes for at least three days. This will likely happen in January. We are expecting a Supplemental Budget, which the Governor is already working on and is expected to release in January.
This past Session was extremely busy. I want to express my gratitude to all of you for all of your time, effort, and advocacy for people with ID/DD in Maine. I hope you will continue to advocate and raise your voice in the next Session.
Other Business:
Jennifer Frey – Autism Society of Maine: Cathy Dionne officially retired from Autism Society of Maine (ASM) about a week and a half ago. Jamie Rogers is currently serving as Executive Director.
Cullen: Cathy was part of the original group that helped pull this Coalition together and did a lot of tremendous work.
We have been collaborating for around 20 years. I just wanted to acknowledge all of her excellent work as well!
Jennifer: ASM has its annual meeting coming up. It's free and dinner is provided. It's at the Cohen Center in Hallowell. Cathy will be there, and the new director will be there as well. The event includes awards, and the Board also goes over this year's achievements and talks about goals for the future. The event flyer has more information – all are welcome!
-There was discussion regarding the wonderful memorial service for Darla’s daughter. It was wonderful to see such love and support.
Cullen: If you know people who could benefit from being here, I encourage you to reach out and have them forward their email to Vickey [email protected] or join be going on the website.
The next meeting will be on *** Monday, October 20, 2025 *** 12-2:00pm, via Zoom*
Featured Speakers and Topic: TBD.
***Please note this is the 3rd Monday of the month due to the holiday***
Unless changed, Coalition meetings are on the 2nd Monday of the month from 12-2pm.
(In 2025 the October meeting will be the 3rd Monday due to the holiday)
The Maine Coalition for Housing and Quality Services provides equal opportunity for meeting participation. If you wish to attend but require an interpreter or other accommodation, please forward your request two weeks prior to the monthly meeting to [email protected].
Cullen Ryan introduced himself and welcomed the group. Minutes from the last meeting were accepted.
Featured Speakers: Libby Stone-Sterling, Director, Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, Maine Department of Labor; Kate Turpen, Youth Self-Advocacy Project Director, Disability Rights Maine (DRM); and Dylan Campbell, Youth Coordinator and Parent Trainer, Maine Parent Federation (MPF). Topic: Maine’s Pathways to Partnerships (P2P) Grant: Promoting new self-advocacy opportunities for youth through innovative curricula for students and novel training approaches for educators and service providers.
Cullen: Today I am pleased to welcome Libby Stone-Sterling, Director of the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services with the Maine Department of Labor; Kate Turpen, Youth Self-Advocacy Project Director with Disability Rights Maine; and Dylan Campbell, Youth Coordinator and Parent Trainer with Maine Parent Federation. They will be presenting on Maine’s Pathways to Partnerships (P2P) grant, specifically on self-advocacy efforts. Thank you all for being here today!
Libby Stone-Sterling: Thank you for having us! Maine’s Pathways to Partnerships (P2P) grant is working to improve post-secondary education and employment outcomes for Maine youth with disabilities through implementation of innovative strategies for children and youth ages 10-24. We were here in February to provide a broad overview of P2P. Recognizing the importance of building self-advocacy skills early, P2P has selected Self-Advocacy as one of its model services. This is a team, across systems project. Today we will be sharing how we are collaborating to promote new self-advocacy opportunities for youth through innovative curricula for students and novel training approaches for educators and service providers.
Begin Presentation (Click here for the presentation).
Kate Turpen: The self-advocacy curriculum is a proposal for student lessons. When we make agreements with individual school districts, we’ll have direct conversations with teachers regarding the frequency they’d like us to come into the classroom. Students generally will not work as hard for teachers if teachers aren’t invested in the students succeeding. We’re finding that some students have been integrated into their IEPs sooner than others, whereas some students aren’t very integrated at all. There will be a full-day workshop in early 2026 for students and their families to spend time roleplaying activities such as participating in IEPs etc. Vision boards are a cool tool for students as well as to introduce Dylan into the mix.
Following direct instruction, we will implement in-person Disability Civil Rights Clubs at RSU 29 and 71, in addition to hosting a statewide, virtual group. (Click here to sign up for the statewide virtual Disability Rights Club.) This is a project-based component to this initiative for students to learn more about their disabilities and what they need to feel, think, and express most comfortably.
Another component to this project is professional development, which will offer trainings for teachers. This covers topics that are also applicable to families.
Dylan Campbell: With our two pilot schools we have some open houses set up and we hope to meet with teachers and staff and share some resources. We’re hoping to partner with some school districts to show them our Empower the Learner tool.
Empower the Learner: Empower the Learner is a comprehensive transition assessment which results in a thorough student portfolio which can grow with the student throughout their academic and professional careers. The portfolio is designed for the student to be able to communicate to teachers, providers, professionals, and their natural supports how they learn, their strengths and challenges, accommodations and modifications, and what they aspire to be. The tool is very adaptable for folks. The goal is to be able to share this with families and IEP/PCP teams, college admissions, etc. This process could start as early as age ten (10). A lot of what is in the tool isn’t new, but it’s putting it all in one area that can be published for people.
Dylan walked through an Empower the Learner sample template.
Discussion:
-A self-advocate stated that this is all wonderful to improve transition in Maine and this is exactly what this Coalition has been promoting. It’s great to see this transition work in action. She stated that the focus on self-identity and accepting all of oneself is wonderful. She stated that she and DRM staff had met with the Secretary of State regarding driver’s education and having it be fully inclusive. Civic education and learning about banking in school is important, including in special education, and is a form of self-advocacy.
Libby: Financial Literacy is another one of our model services in P2P!
Kate: I just had a meeting not too long ago with Key Bank, which has a whole series for high schoolers, about integrating this at Portland High School for all students.
-A former special educator stated that IEPs are legal documents and must be completed, but he also wanted to make them meaningful. He stated he did that by making sure students were actively involved in creating agenda for their IEP meetings and discussing their goals and objectives – things that they really wanted to do and then they could figure out how to get there. When a student ages out or graduate you’re required to fill out the Summary of Performance which includes post-secondary goals. This is a critical document to engage the student.
-A parent stated that this seems like it would be very useful for people, and it allows people to participate at different levels. This ought to be applied across everything.
Libby: We’re currently in the Belfast and Houlton area schools. We’re taking on some new schools around January. If there are school districts that any of you are aware of, that would be great to add or are in need of some additional help, please feel free to reach out to us (email: [email protected]).
-It was asked if there is a measurement tool to determine the program's success/outcomes.
Libby: Yes, we’re working with Northwestern University who are the evaluators for this project. Because it’s an innovation grant, we’re making changes in real time too.
Betsy Hopkins – DHHS-OADS: It’s wonderful to hear how the good work started with the Innovation Project is being carried forward and expanded. Building upon that foundation shows the commitment of this team to keep moving forward, learning, and making improvements that will make a real difference for individuals and families.
Libby: Yes, we’re worked hard with partners across organizations and are excited to partner and to continue to develop.
Cullen: I want to thank all of you for being here today and providing such an informative presentation. I love the broad collaboration and that so many organizations are involved. Thank you all for such a thoughtful and inclusive approach; well done!
End Presentation (round of applause would have occurred were it not for everyone being muted and on Zoom)
DHHS – Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) - www.maine.gov/dhhs/oads
Cullen: I wanted to mention that it is my understanding that Craig Patterson has recently retired and that Sara Fleurant will be taking over many of his responsibilities. I want to thank Craig for all of his efforts while he was at OADS. He was very dedicated to improving the lives of people with ID/DD. Paul Saucier, Director of OADS, also recently retired. Both Craig and Paul left significant legacies and were extremely committed to improving the system of care. Cullen and attendees offered gratitude to both for their long careers of service.
Betsy Hopkins (confirming both retirements and explaining the transition for Paul) Yes, he did, and he seems to be enjoying retirement though we were all sad to see him leave. He was an amazing supporter of all of our work over the course of the last six years. My understanding is that the Commissioner is moving ahead to fill that position and I hope that will happen within the next month.
Cullen: We were very lucky to have Paul and Craig!
Betsy: I wanted to share a few updates with the group.
Licensing Rule:
- HCBS Emergency licensing rule – In effect for 90 days. There is a town hall meeting for providers on Wednesday, September 10, from 1-2pm to discuss the rulemaking process and to answer questions about the emergency rule. Participants can register here.
- Full Proposed Licensing Rule: The Rule can be found here, and it is now for public comment.
Some agencies that were previously licensed under the Assisted Housing Rule will have to transition their residential programs to the Home and Community Support Service Agencies Licensing Rule. The Emergency Rule is acting as a bridge for these providers until the Full Rule is finalized and adopted.
Home and Community Based Supports (HCBS) Sections 18, 20, 21, 29, and New Lifespan Waiver: Review of Final Draft Rates & Models: On September 11, 2025, the Department will present updates to the previously proposed final draft rates and models for Sections 18, 20, 21, 29, and the New Lifespan Waiver. The updates follow comments received from the public on the draft rates and models presented on April 14, 2025. The Department encourages providers and stakeholders to attend this presentation. See below for meeting details.
Meeting Details: Date/Time: Thursday, September 11, 2025, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Zoom Information: Link: Join from Zoom Workplace app or your browser Meeting ID: 974 0298 4974 Passcode: 765951
Please find all previously presented materials on the Rate System Reform webpage. For questions on this process please contact Jessica Levesque, MaineCare’s Rate Reform Lead. Have a suggestion for the next Annual Rate Determination Schedule? Suggestions can be submitted to [email protected]. Learn more about this process on the Rate System Reform webpage.
Lifespan Waiver: This is still under development. We’re hoping to provide a draft for public comment later this month.
Cullen: Thank you for being here and for these updates!
DHHS – Children’s Behavioral Health Services (CBHS), Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) - www.maine.gov/dhhs/obh/support-services/childrens-behavioral-health - No Update
DOL – Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) - www.maine.gov/rehab/dvr
Libby Stone-Sterling: The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation continues to have no waitlist for services in all priority categories. We’re running a pilot initiative called CREDQUEST – a four-track opportunity for adults with disabilities exploring construction, culinary, human services, and retail careers. We have about 50 people who have signed up – we filled up very quickly. They’re going through some instruction. They’re gaining credentials such as OSHA 10 safety certification, etc. Then they’re doing paid work experience at the end of the instruction period. After this first time, if it's successful we can continue, and then also build in other areas.
-It was asked where staffing for Voc Rehab stands.
Libby: We do have some openings, but currently we have a very good staffing pattern, which played a role in our ability to open the waitlist. We received some support through the past Budget cycle to get funding to support those positions.
-It was asked if there was any way of VR expanding the organizations they contract with for services.
Libby: We’ve tried lots of different models for job development and job coaching. Currently we have contracts with two agencies that cover the entire state. These large contracts ensure that every area is covered – which hasn’t always been the case. We’re always looking at whether this model meets our needs, if people are able to get those services, and looking at outcomes etc.
Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education (OSSIE) - www.maine.gov/doe/learning/specialed - No Update
Disability Rights Maine (DRM) Update:
Lucas Cuellar: DRM has joined the Save Maine Absentee Voting efforts. We’re ensuring as much as we can that people with disabilities in Maine have the same access to vote as anyone else. Additionally, we’re continuing to do as much outreach, especially in group homes, as we can.
-It was asked if work is still ongoing regarding sexual assault response etc.
Lucas: My colleague Sammy-Ellie had been working on an OVW (Office on Violence Against Women) grant and they have been able to secure an extension of time to continue that work to make sure that sexual assault response services are as robust as they can be and meeting the needs of people with disabilities in Maine. I imagine they will be requesting to come speak to this group about what’s going on with that grant work.
Cullen: Thank you for providing these updates!
Federal & Housing Updates:
Cullen: The biggest threat that we’re facing is Medicaid cuts, specifically and most recently in the Budget Reconciliation Bill (HR 1, One Big Beautiful Act) which was signed by the President on 7/4 (see below for more information). The entire Maine Delegation attempted to thwart efforts to include cuts to Medicaid in this reconciliation bill by voting against it. The cuts to Medicaid and SNAP will take effect in the fall of 2026, right around the Mid-Term Elections.
We continue to closely look for Executive Orders and other policy proposals which would affect housing, services, and other resources for people with ID/DD. When things arise, we will be sure to make you aware through action alerts.
Executive Orders – President Trump initiated a series of Executive Orders (EOs) which, if implemented/upheld by the courts, could make more difficult for everyone to access to an affordable, accessible home. Per NLIHC, the new Administration’s first actions include:
- Directing federal agencies to terminate all diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) practices and policies and rescind previous executive actions expanding DEI efforts to underserved communities.
- Institute a hiring freeze which would prevent HUD from hiring essential staff.
- Denying fair housing and civil rights protections to LGBTQ individuals.
- Directing federal agencies to prevent sanctuary jurisdictions, or jurisdictions that limit or deny cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, from receiving federal investments. If this EO is used to deny states and localities access to federal funding, it could undermine local governments’ ability to help families purchase a home and build more affordable rental housing.
-Includes portions of the AHCIA: The bill does include key pieces of the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act (AHCIA) (S 1515 / HR 2725) that would expand and reform the LIHTC program.
- Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Expansion: The act permanently increases LIHTC allocations and reduces the bond financing requirement for certain properties. These changes are anticipated to support the creation of over a million additional affordable homes over the next decade.
- Opportunity Zone (OZ) Program: The OBBBA makes the OZ program permanent with changes to eligibility and a requirement for a percentage of zones to be in rural areas.
- Other Relevant Provisions: The bill includes extensions of the New Markets Tax Credit and bonus depreciation, along with a phase-down of certain green energy tax credits.
- Cuts Medicaid by more than $1 trillion – the largest cut in history.
- Work Requirements: The bill expands the provision taking away Medicaid from people who don’t meet a work requirement so that it would apply to parents enrolled through the Medicaid expansion who have children older than 13.
- CBPP estimates that between 9.7 million and 14.4 million people would be at risk under the House bill. However, the enacted Bill includes parents with children over the age of 13 which would put an additional 160,000 to 380,000 adults at risk.
- Severely limits how some states finance their Medicaid programs.
- Cuts eligibility across all major health coverage programs for most categories of immigrants living lawfully in the U.S.
- SNAP would be cut by $186 billion through 2034, according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) (about a 20% cut). This is the largest SNAP cut in history, which could lead some states to end their program entirely.
- Most states would be required to pay 5 to 15 percent of food benefits. If a state can’t make up for these massive federal cuts with tax increases or spending cuts elsewhere in its budget, it would have to cut its SNAP program (such as by restricting eligibility or making it harder for people to enroll) or it could opt out of the program altogether.
- Work Requirements: Under current SNAP rules, most non-elderly, non-disabled adults without children in their homes can’t receive benefits for more than three months out of every three years if they don’t document they are working at least 20 hours per week or prove they qualify for an exemption. The Bill expands this restriction to older adults aged 55-64 and to parents whose youngest child is at least 14 years old, while also significantly limiting waivers for areas with poor economic conditions. The final version of this bill strips current exemptions from the work requirement for veterans, people experiencing homelessness, and former foster youth.
- Cut food benefits by an average of $100 per month for about 600,000 low-income households by eliminating an administrative simplification for calculating utility expenses for many households.
Senate THUD Budget: The Senate passed its FY 26 THUD spending bill that would provide $73.3 billion for HUD, significantly more than the $67.8 billion provided for HUD in the House’s draft FY26 spending bill. Per NLIHC, like the House’s FY26 THUD spending proposal, the Senate’s proposal rejects the funding cuts and policy proposals in the Trump administration’s FY26 appropriations request, which would have overhauled and cut funding for rental and homelessness assistance programs. The bill includes:
- Section 8: $37.4 billion, an increase from $36.04 billion in FY 25. This includes an additional $1.82 billion to renew existing Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) contracts, totaling $33.97 billion for contract renewals in FY26.
- Project-Based Section 8: $17.8 billion for PBS8, an increase from $16.8 billion in FY 2525.
- FedHOME: $1.25 billion in funding for the HOME Investment Partnership program, which was zeroed out in the President’s proposal and the House’s draft FY26 THUD spending bill.
- Section 8: $35.26 billion – a $773 million decrease vs FY 25 this includes level funding, $32.14 billion, to renew existing HCV contracts. Because the cost of rent increases from year to year, flat funding acts as a cut to rental assistance programs. Per CBPP this would result in more than 400,000 fewer people receiving assistance to help them afford housing.
- Project-Based Section 8: $17.12 billion – a $237 million increase vs FY 25, which is at least $500 million short of what is needed to prevent the eviction of nearly 45,000 very low- and low-income households.
- FedHOME: Eliminates HOME completely.
Congressional Medicaid Proposals (including per capita cap and block grant proposals) – There are various Medicaid proposals floating around in Congress currently, including Medicaid Per Capita Cap policy proposals. Per CBPP: Recent proposals from Republican congressional leaders and a conservative think tank would impose a per capita cap on federal Medicaid funding or, similarly, turn Medicaid into a block grant. These proposals would dramatically change Medicaid’s funding structure, deeply cut federal funding, and shift costs and financial risks to states. Should this happen, faced with large and growing reductions in federal funding, states could cut eligibility and benefits, which could put millions of people at risk of losing health coverage and access to Medicaid-funded services. There are also various proposals from Republican Congressional leaders that would impose work requirements for Medicaid. Per CBPP: that 36 million Medicaid enrollees — including people in every state — could be at risk of losing their coverage under various proposals.
Federal Bills Introduced in the new Congress:
- The Home Accessibility Tax Credit Act: Introduced by Senators King and Welch, this bill would establish a refundable tax credit for eligible home modifications designed to improve accessibility — saving both Americans with the highest risk of falling, as well as taxpayers, from the high medical costs associated with falls.
- HR 2540 SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act: This is a bipartisan (expected to be bicameral) bill that would amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to update the resource limit for supplemental security income eligibility. This bill would update SSI’s asset limits for the first time since the 1980s to ensure people with disabilities and seniors are able to prepare themselves for a financial emergency without putting the benefits that they rely on to live at risk.
- S 343/HR 869 Keep our PACT Act: This bill would require full funding of part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
- HR 1634 Think DIFFERENTLY About Disability Employment Act: This bill would provide for a memorandum of understanding between the Small Business Administration and the National Council on Disability to increase employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities, and for other purposes.
- HR 1757 EMPSA Act: This bill would amend title XVI of the Social Security Act to provide that the supplemental security income benefits of adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities shall not be reduced by marriage.
- S 466 Fairness for Disabled Young Adults Act: This bill would amend title II of the Social Security Act to increase the age threshold for eligibility for child's insurance benefits on the basis of disability.
- S 1515 / HR 2725 The Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2025: Representatives Darin LaHood (R-IL), Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Randy Feenstra (R-IA), Don Beyer (D-VA), Claudia Tenney (R-NY), and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) reintroduced this bill on 4/8. The Senate companion bill was reintroduced on 4/29. This bill has more than 120 cosponsors in the House, half from each party, and 33 in the Senate (including Senator Collins), signifying great bipartisan support. Per NLIHC: The AHCIA would increase the allocation of credits by 50% over two years, adjust rules to facilitate the production and preservation of more homes financed with tax-exempt bonds, and enact reforms to make LIHTC a better tool for development in underserved communities. If enacted, the AHCIA would reform the tax credit to provide additional incentives to developers to build homes affordable to extremely low-income households most impacted by the housing crisis, as well as underserved rural and Native American communities.
State Legislature Update
Cullen: This is a really good time to reach out to Legislators, especially ones in your district, to tell your story and advocate for necessary resources to meet the needs of people with ID/DD in Maine. The Second Session is scheduled to start January 7, 2026, and end in April 2026 – the “short session”. Cloture is September 26, 2025. Only bills deemed to be “emergency bills” and bills put forth by the Governor can be considered, along with bills that were carried over from the previous session.
As this group knows, there are a whole host of bills that either didn’t move through the House and Senate for votes for enactment or didn’t get funded off the Table. The vast majority of these bills were carried over into the next Legislative Session. And there are some bills that were enacted and sent to the Governor, but since the Legislature adjourned Sine Die, they were held by the Governor and will become law when the Legislature next convenes for at least three days. This will likely happen in January. We are expecting a Supplemental Budget, which the Governor is already working on and is expected to release in January.
This past Session was extremely busy. I want to express my gratitude to all of you for all of your time, effort, and advocacy for people with ID/DD in Maine. I hope you will continue to advocate and raise your voice in the next Session.
Other Business:
Jennifer Frey – Autism Society of Maine: Cathy Dionne officially retired from Autism Society of Maine (ASM) about a week and a half ago. Jamie Rogers is currently serving as Executive Director.
Cullen: Cathy was part of the original group that helped pull this Coalition together and did a lot of tremendous work.
We have been collaborating for around 20 years. I just wanted to acknowledge all of her excellent work as well!
Jennifer: ASM has its annual meeting coming up. It's free and dinner is provided. It's at the Cohen Center in Hallowell. Cathy will be there, and the new director will be there as well. The event includes awards, and the Board also goes over this year's achievements and talks about goals for the future. The event flyer has more information – all are welcome!
-There was discussion regarding the wonderful memorial service for Darla’s daughter. It was wonderful to see such love and support.
Cullen: If you know people who could benefit from being here, I encourage you to reach out and have them forward their email to Vickey [email protected] or join be going on the website.
The next meeting will be on *** Monday, October 20, 2025 *** 12-2:00pm, via Zoom*
Featured Speakers and Topic: TBD.
***Please note this is the 3rd Monday of the month due to the holiday***
Unless changed, Coalition meetings are on the 2nd Monday of the month from 12-2pm.
(In 2025 the October meeting will be the 3rd Monday due to the holiday)
The Maine Coalition for Housing and Quality Services provides equal opportunity for meeting participation. If you wish to attend but require an interpreter or other accommodation, please forward your request two weeks prior to the monthly meeting to [email protected].