State of the States in Developmental Disabilities: 2004

Public spending for MR/DD services grew rapidly during FYs 2000–2002. This rapid growth was followed by reductions in spending for MR/DD services as the nation's economy declined during 2002–2004. However, convergent factors stimulating future expansion of funding and services for persons with MR/DD include rapidly expanding cohorts of aging caregivers in the states, increasing longevity of persons with MR/DD, and extensive litigation in the states promoting access to services.