Ability Network of Delaware

“Direct support professionals bend over backwards for you. They treat you like family — and that makes all the difference.” – Mark

Direct support professionals and community-based services helped Mark return to the life he wanted, including volunteering with his local fire company. These services are funded by Medicaid—and they are essential. Without them, Delawareans with disabilities risk losing dignity, independence, and opportunity.

Essential—for all of us.

“When I moved to Harrington, I wanted to work on my goals and try college again. My team responded right away—and that meant everything.” – Matt

With support from Resources for Human Development, Matt earned his associate’s degree from Delaware Tech and built the confidence to chase his dream of becoming a lawyer. Medicaid-funded, community-based mental health services made this possible. Cuts to Medicaid could take away those opportunities for thousands of Delawareans.

Delaware should not balance the budget by cutting essential services that allow people to live with dignity, independence, and connection.

It's essential—for all of us.

Meet Mark. With the right support from Mosaic for his intellectual and developmental disability, he moved into a community group home, gained independence, and joined the firehouse—where he was proudly welcomed as an honorary member. Medicaid-funded services made this possible, giving Mark not just stability, but community, pride, and purpose.

Cuts to Medicaid would take opportunities like this away from people with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Delaware. We cannot balance the budget at the expense of essential services that support our economy and allow people to live with dignity, independence, and connection.

Essential—for all of us.

Meet Jazmyth. About a year ago, she was at the beginning of her recovery journey and terrified of the unknown. Today, she’s sober, employed, housed, and thinking about a future as a drug and alcohol counselor. Her story shows the power of resilience—and the impact of essential community support and resources. Community-based services and resources have allowed her to become an active contributor to the local economy and give back in ways she once received

Looming Medicaid cuts could mean fewer people get the same chance. Protecting funding for the essential services that people like Jazmyth rely on is critical for a healthy local economy and prosperous Delaware. It's essential—for all of us.

“Steven’s performance was so impressive…he transitioned into an independent role successfully. He has expressed feeling valued and important—and that’s exactly what we want every person we support to experience.” – Quintella, Easterseals

Protecting Medicaid-funded services that provide job coaching also protects the local economy by allowing people with IDD to maintain meaningful employment and actively contribute to the community.

Meet Steven. With support from Easterseals, Steven is an essential team member of the Laurel Police Department. His work brings him pride, independence, and community connection. Easterseals' support services are possible because of Medicaid—but right now, those services are at risk because of funding cuts. Protecting Medicaid means protecting people like Steven.

Every year Ability Network of Delaware, our members and their families advocate for exactly what Ms. Shackleford, Ms. O'Rourke and Mr. Tull have shared in this Spotlight Delaware article. More.
More choice, more services and more funding so their children have what they need.

There are hundreds of parents of adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities who are simply afraid. Services like the ones these families desperately need more of rely on both state and Medicaid funding. The service system and the workforce cannot meet the needs of these families without bigger investments.

‘Afraid to die’: Parents of disabled adults struggle to find housing Parents of adults with disabilities describe the process of finding housing for their children as overly complex even while options can be limited.

Here's what's happened recently on Capitol Hill that could impact mental health and substance use disorder policy. Get weekly updates and advocacy opportunities sent straight to your inbox: https://bit.ly/4r0JKj7

Community-based services funded by Medicaid are a lifeline for thousands of Delawareans with disabilities, mental illness and substance use disorders. A.N.D.’s members who provide these essential services touch every community in Delaware.



They are essential for the folks we serve, their families, the professionals that make up its dedicated workforce and our state’s economy. They are Essential. For all of us!
Learn more here.

2025: Essential. For All of us. - Ability Network of Delaware Ability Network of Delaware 100 West 10th Street, Suite 103 Wilmington, DE 19801 P: 302.622.9177 [email protected]