Corbett budget would have devastating impact on people w/ intellectual & developmental disabilities

[PA Democrat]

HARRISBURG (PA): After an initial review, The Arc of Pennsylvania is deeply concerned about Governor Corbett’s proposed 2012-13 budget and its impact on services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), especially after the funding cuts announced in January for the current fiscal year. The Arc opposes the proposed cuts for essential services while funding for state centers increases, and it remains alarmed that the waiting list for services is still not being addressed.

The proposed budget calls for innovation by drawing funding from at least a half-dozen social and human service programs, including I/DD services, and putting the money into a block grant for counties to decide how best to use the funds. The block grant would allow flexibility for the use of funds but the flexibility comes with an overall reduction of 20% funds. “The Arc of Pennsylvania appreciates the concepts of flexibility and local control. However, the flexibility is unlikely to generate a 20% savings,” said Maureen Cronin, Executive Director of The Arc of Pennsylvania. Also, a meaningful framework is needed to assure appropriate use for these funds.

While there is much talk of “fraud, waste and abuse” in welfare programs, it is important to separate critical services needed by persons with disabilities from examples of welfare fraud that are highlighted by those trying to right size government. There are almost 16,000 Pennsylvanians on a waiting list for I/DD services, more than 3,000 of whom are in need of immediate services. Some of those in need of immediate services are aging parents taking care of aging sons and daughters with disabilities. Others are parents of young adults with no day/employment supports when they graduate from high school this coming June. Families are struggling to support their sons and daughters with disabilities.

The Governor proposes increased funding for state centers for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. “Generations of Pennsylvania families have focused on community inclusion for their children and siblings, said Jeanne Downey, President of The Arc of Pennsylvania’s Board of Directors. “To increase funding to continue placement of people in institutions goes against everything that families in PA have worked for.” Institutional care violates the Americans with Disabilities Act and is much more costly than services provided in the community. Most states are closing their institutions while those continuing to provide services in institutions are battling lawsuits and Justice Department investigations which eventually cost taxpayers more money.

http://arcpddc.org/20120214GovBudget.pdf

And more:

If you're one of the nearly 16,000 Pennsylvanians waiting to receive services for Down syndrome, autism or another intellectual disability, you may be waiting a long time.

"The only way a person can get any services or support is if someone passes away or someone leaves the state," says Sheila Stasko, statewide coordinator of the PA Waiting List Campaign. "The system is absolutely stagnant."

Stasko wants a waiting-list initiative placed in Gov. Tom Corbett's budget, adding funds for those seeking intellectual-disability services. If Corbett's proposed spending plan gets passed without one, Stasko and other advocates fear individuals may be waiting even longer for services, which range from day programs and job training to housing or transportation.

Such programs are funded by state dollars from the Department of Public Welfare (DPW) and federal funds, and supported by two main funding streams. Under Corbett's budget proposal, the largest stream for intellectual-disability (ID) services, known as the community-waiver program, would see only a 1.9 percent increase. Another funding stream would be slashed by 87.5 percent, leaving only $20.7 million in a dedicated line item for community-based programs. Then, as part of a reshuffling of the DPW, about $145 million originally earmarked for those ID programs would be combined with several other programs into the Human Services Development Fund Block Grant.

http://www.pittsburghcitypaper.ws/pittsburgh/cutting-deep-corbett-budget-would-put-social-services-further-out-of-reach/Content?oid=1497582

[PRETZEL]

1. This is just another front on this administration's war on social services

DPW's war on Pennsylvania has alot of fronts.

The HSDF changes and the cuts are just another front.

Medical Assistance is another.

Act 22 - Expedited Rules is the one that seems to be overlooked but is of major importance to those who rely on Home and Community Based Services.

This is a flat out assault to privatize social services in the state. There will be no money saved. The consumers are the ones who will be hurt the most.