Oh Baby, Hoggify

A few weeks back, I wrote a post about how we seem to be driving in reverse when it comes to funding for services for individuals with one or more developmental disabilities.

I wrote one line in that post that I would like to return to now, for a different discussion. I wrote “The fact is there aren’t many more places that providers can cut when it comes to providing services.”

While that is mostly disturbing news, there is some surprising good news that has resulted from this shortage in funding, not just here in Colorado but across the nation. The good news is that many providers have embraced this challenge, and in turn have taken the lead in coming up with the best ideas and the best solutions. Providers have been the ones coming up with creative and cost effective ways of providing services that have truly been revolutionary. They have embraced technology, they have improved their training and recruiting, and they have made the adjustments necessary to meet the ever changing (and growing) set of regulations without losing sight of what really matters – the people they serve. Providers know how to get the job done.

I wonder, though, if our regulatory leaders are following suit. Are they looking at the innovations taking place in the field and adjusting regulations to meet the new realities? Are they actively searching and documenting best practices developed and implemented by providers? Are they seeking out innovations that can be replicated system-wide to save money while improving services at the same time?

Believe me, many answers to the challenges we face are already out there. We’ve had answers to some of our most pressing issues for decades. We just need to pay attention. We need to ask questions. We need to listen.

Listening closely often proves to be quite revealing.



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We all know resources are tight. If we don’t do a better job of using what little we have wisely, we put an already vulnerable population at even great risk. The time has come to ask questions, and more importantly, to listen to the answers that we already have.

Then again, what do I know?