Sen. Shelly Calvo is calling on the Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities to explain its decision not to renew a contract with Catholic Social Services, a move that she says could leave families without respite and in-home care as soon as Sept. 30.
In a Sept. 26 letter to DISID Director Michelle Perez, Calvo said families were only notified on Sept. 22 that services would be ending, giving them less than 10 days to prepare. She described the notice as “last-minute” and said it has caused “significant anxiety” for families who depend on the program to care for their loved ones.
Calvo asked DISID to clarify whether the decision was tied to funding constraints, provider performance, or a shift in strategy. She also pressed the agency to detail immediate alternatives for families, long-term plans to ensure services remain available, and whether families or providers were consulted before the change.
“Families deserve clarity and stability regarding services that impact their most vulnerable members,” Calvo wrote. She requested a written response from DISID by Oct. 3, emphasizing that care options on island are already limited and private alternatives would be too costly for many.