Newsletter
Law could cut $120 million for services to disabled
Law could cut $120 million for services to disabled
Jamie Page • jepage@pnj.com • April 28, 2008
The Florida Legislature is proposing a change in the law that would cut more than $120 million from the budget for services for people with developmental disabilities.
A coalition of at least six local
nonprofits that assist disabled residents, along with advocates and families,
are calling for the legislature to reconsider the cuts, which would leave some
disabled residents homeless, said Donna Fassett, executive director of ARC
Gateway.
The news was announced today at the Pollak Training Center at ARC Gateway in
Pensacola.
“There are so many things they (legislature) don’t understand,” said Dave
Miller, CEO of Horizons of Okaloosa County. “We are afraid many people are going
to have their services cut and we’re not sure what’s going to happen to those
people.”
The legislature is looking at moving to a tier funding system for those with
disabilities. Depending on which tier they fall in, based on their needs, the
cuts will be significant in three of the four categories.
Ruth Brassow of Pensacola has a 29-year-old son, Paul, who has a developmental
disability. He lives in a group home with five other men who are like family to
him, she said. Paul also attends an adult day training program, where he learns
jobs skills and earns some money of his own.
Under the cuts, Paul would be $7,000 short of covering the costs of his basic
services, not including medical supplies or dental care. However, during the
past year, Paul has had to have extensive dental work.
“In the future, he will have to choose between his home, his job and dental
care,” Ruth Brassow said. “The choices we face leave us with no easy answers,
and in some cases with no answers or solutions at all.”
Recently, a House and Senate committee agreed on an additional 5.5 percent reduction to funding to these organizations, on top of the $120 million cut,
said Sherry White, CEO of UCP of Northwest Florida.
“The combination of the tiers and the rate reduction will have ramifications that we’ve only begun to determine,” White said. “We do understand that this is a very difficult financial year and that we are not the only group facing challenges, but we have endured many years of rate reductions.”
White said the proposed cuts would leave no choice but to discontinue certain services.
Reprinted from www.pnj.com: Last Updated: Monday, April 28 2008
http://www.pnj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080428/NEWS01/80428020
View a Printer-Friendly Version
Go back to top