The Equity Committee manages the New Caseload Fund, Equity Fund and High School Graduate Fund. The Committee will use the standard application for funding format provided by DDAS. Decisions of the Equity Committee will be made, in writing, to the provider as soon as practical following the Committee meetings.

The New Caseload Fund is comprised of funding allocated by the Legislature to meet the needs of individuals whose circumstances are described in the State System of Care Plan funding priorities.

The Equity Fund is a statewide resource that contains funding returned because a person has died, gone into an institution, left the state or not used funding granted during the year from the Equity Fund. The Equity Fund supplements the New Caseload Fund when those resources are insufficient to meet funding priorities. The purpose of the Equity Fund is to assure that funding already appropriated, but no longer needed, is reassigned to individuals who meet the funding priorities.

The High School Graduate Fund provides funding to individuals aged 19 and older who exit high school during the year and who need support to maintain an employer-paid job or have a compelling rationale to meet another funding priority. Funding is budgeted based on the results of the High School Graduation Survey. If targeted graduate funding is insufficient for individuals who otherwise meet the funding priorities, the individual has access to the New Caseload Fund or the Equity Fund.

Meeting Schedule

Committee meetings will be held at least monthly with provisions for emergency decisions as necessary between regularly scheduled meetings.

Information & Resources

• System of Care Plan FY '09 Update (June 2008)
  This plan describes the nature, extent, allocation and timing of services that will be provided to people with developmental disabilities and their families. The Three Year Plan and any subsequent Updates make up the complete plan for the current year.

• Vermont State System of Care Plan for Developmental Services - Three Year Plan FY2008 - FY2010 (July 2007)
  This is the update to the Three Year Plan for FY 2005 - FY2007 and should be use in association with the full plan.

Contact Person

Committee Chair:

• Position rotates – usually a director of a developmental disability service provider

Committee contact for submitting a proposal:

• Marlys Waller
  The Council for Developmental and Mental Health Services
  Phone: (802) 223-1773
  E-mail: marlys@vtcouncil.org

DDAS Committee Representatives:

• Lorraine Wargo
  Division of Disability and Aging Services
  Phone: (802) 241-2648
  E-mail: lorraine.wargo@ahs.state.vt.us

• Ellen Malone
  Division of Disability and Aging Services
  Phone: (802) 241-4493
  E-mail: ellen.malone@ahs.state.vt.us

Committee Membership

The Equity Committee is comprised of 5 developmental service agency staff, 2 consumers or family members and 2 Division of Disability and Aging Services staff. Other non-voting individuals may be invited to participate or mentor with committee members as determined by the Equity Committee.

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