As a father who serves as a Legally Responsible Individual (LRI) for my child, I am outraged by the proposed changes to the CCC+ waiver. These so-called "amendments" are nothing short of an attack on families like mine. They are forcing parents to jump through hoops and endlessly compile pointless documentation to prove what should already be obvious—who better to care for a child than their parent? This isn’t about “clearer rules”; this is about piling on unnecessary red tape and completely ignoring the daily realities we face.

These changes would create a nightmare for caregivers already doing everything they can to meet their child’s complex needs. Imagine the emotional strain on a mother struggling to care for her non-verbal, autistic child. She was dragged through an absurd bureaucratic process, forced to waste precious hours gathering medical records, therapist notes, and daily logs. Hours she should have spent caring for her child were instead spent jumping through hoops to prove she was the best person for the job—something everyone already knew. And after all that, her child’s services were delayed for months! This is the reality DMAS wants to push on every LRI with these ridiculous amendments.

The expectation that LRIs submit this level of documentation is not just burdensome, it's insulting. It implies that we aren't capable of caring for our own children unless we constantly prove ourselves to some bureaucratic system. This burden devalues our role and places unnecessary strain on already overwhelmed families. This nonsense will drive caregivers like me to the breaking point. More paperwork, more delays—it only worsens our ability to provide care when it’s needed the most.

These amendments are a disaster waiting to happen. Rejecting them is not a matter of inconvenience—it’s a necessity. LRIs aren’t just the best option for personal care; in many cases, we are the only option. We live with our children, understand their needs better than anyone, and provide them with the consistent care they deserve. Requiring us to go through an endless bureaucratic loop does nothing but create more barriers for families in desperate need of support. Our role as LRIs is not just important, it's crucial for the well-being of our children.

I vehemently oppose the Application for the 1915(c) HCBS Waiver: Draft VA.004.05.03. This proposal strips away the flexibility and security we need to ensure our children are cared for properly. Lawmakers must wake up and realize the damage they’re about to inflict. This isn’t just paperwork—it’s our lives. The well-being of our children is on the line, and I refuse to stand by, while DMAS makes it harder for families like mine to care for those we love. We need action now, not later.