Committees recommend $1 million supplemental to restore senior, home-care and respite services in Montgomery County

Montgomery County committees on Monday recommended that the County Council consider a $1,000,000 supplemental appropriation to restore capacity in three aging and disability programs: respite care, senior nutrition and home-based care services.

Dr. Patrice McGee, chief of Aging and Disability Services, told the joint meeting the funding request is designed to “restore balance and stability” to programs strained by federal funding delays and rising local demand. McGee cited program data and federal timing issues as reasons the county must act now to prevent further harm.

The appropriation is aimed at addressing documented wait lists: 141 seniors and adults with disabilities on the senior nutrition waiting list, about 345 residents awaiting assessment for home care services, and 83 unpaid caregivers on a respite wait list, according to presenters. County staff said loss of COVID-era one-time funds and a continuing-resolution approach to the Older Americans Act have tightened federal support.

Staff explained how the $1,000,000 would be split: $250,000 for respite care to provide roughly an additional 7,575 service hours (serving existing families and opening applications to new ones); $450,000 for senior nutrition to reduce the 141-person wait list and support culturally appropriate meal options and home-delivered meals; and $300,000 for home care services, including $90,000 to hire two full-time brokers for assessments and $210,000 for direct services to increase service capacity by an estimated 30–40 clients and raise average weekly hours per client from about six to eight.

Committee members pressed staff on implementation. McGee and program leads said processes and contractor relationships are in place to begin outreach as soon as funds are available, and that the department maintains contact information for wait-listed clients. Kim Mayo, administrator for the Community Support Network, said the respite and intake processes require annual reapplication in some programs, and staff will notify participants that supplemental funding does not guarantee ongoing long-term service.

Adult Protective Services Administrator Mario Wirzassen noted that 2–3 percent of people who come off wait lists generate APS referrals, and stressed that in-person assessments are necessary to identify risks. Council members cited workforce and capacity limits: the county and nonprofit partners face clinician and direct support professional shortages that constrain how quickly services can expand.

Council member Sales, sponsor of the request in partnership with Council President Fani Gonzalez and other cosponsors, emphasized the social as well as nutritional benefits of congregate meals and called the investment an equity measure given the disproportionate representation of communities of color among program users.

By voice/hand raise the committees present voted unanimously to recommend the $1,000,000 supplemental appropriation to the full County Council. Committee leaders said the next step is a council hearing and formal appropriation action by the full Council.