The Arc of Chester County in West Chester hosted a meeting Jan. 19 to discuss a severe shortage of staff and programs for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, reports the Media News Group for the Daily Local News.

Six individuals and families listed their concerns and talked about options to Pennsylvania Deputy Secretary Kristin Ahrens of the Office of Developmental Programs.

Arc of Chester County is an advocacy and provider agency supporting individuals with disabilities and their families for the past 70 years.

Its services include children’s early learning and pre-school programs from birth to age 5 as well as employment services connecting youth ages 14 to 21 and adults with disabilities with employers in the community.

Arc also provides in-home and community services through its Family Support Services program.  

Those attending Jan. 19 talked about the struggle families of developmentally disabled individuals are having finding the help they need.

Parents said state policies and regulations discourage providers from operating day programs, limiting the number of clients, restricting brick-and-mortar settings, and offering low reimbursement rates.

Susan and David Singer of Downingtown said their son, Jacob, 22, has multiple disabilities and cannot be left alone. He’s currently on a waiting list to enter the Achieve day program at the Chester County Intermediate Unit.

“There should be more choices. We need to take away some of the barriers (to day programs) and have less restrictions,” said Susan Singer.

Kristin Ahrens said her staff is working to create a pipeline for workers, addressing workforce retention and supporting alternative services models less dependent on traditional staffing.

 The state does not want to return to the days of institutions, she said but is working with groups like the Developmental Disabilities Council to create solutions.

Read more about the service and staffing crisis for the developmentally disabled at the Daily Local.