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House I Cuts Services to People with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities
The Governor's budget proposal (called the "House I" budget) for the Department of Mental Retardation poses some serious concerns for persons served by this agency.First, it consolidates several line items. This is not unusual in House I budgeting, and it is possible that the line items will be reinstated by legislative leaders. For example, the mega-community residential account (line item 5920-2000) has a new number, 5920-2007, and is called Community Residential Programs. It now includes State Operated Programs (formerly 5920-2010), Boulet Waiting List individuals (formerly 5920-2020), and the $2,000,000 residential rate (formerly 5920-2006).It is deeply problematic to combine the mega-community account with state operated programs (State-ops) since dollars may be moved from programs without scrutiny.
The other consolidation combines Family Support (5920-3000), Day/Employment (5920-2025), and Transportation (5911-2000) into a new account called Community Support Programs (line item 5920-2007). This is a first. If this consolidation remains, it risks the smaller Flexible Family Supports or limited transportation funds.
The third consolidation is Administration and combines the central office administration account, 5911-1000, which includes the pension fund for the Department and Regional/Area Offices, 5920-1000 into a new account called DMR administration and Operations.
Budget Cuts in House 1
Deep cuts are made in community services totaling 12 million dollars.These include:
1) Turning 22 is cut by $3 Million as last year’s hard-fought victory of increasing access for almost 600 people is reduced in this budget.
2) 55 beds are taken away in the community with $2 million in cuts.(5920-2000, now part of 5920-2007)
3) 1,459 people will lose one day of work/day services through a $3.4 Million cut and $160,000 in transportation (Lines 5920-2025 & 5911-2000, now 5920-2007).
4) Hundreds of families will be affected through $3.4 Million in Family Support (Line 5920-3000, now 5920-2007) as agencies will lost $2 million based on “administrative efficiencies” which will include their capacity to provide info-referral. Means testing expected to save $500,000 and a new assessment process projected to save $900,000.
5) DMR also experiences personnel cuts with $3 Million for 100 employees at facilities, $500,000 for 50 staff at state-operated community residences, and $2 Million for staff at area and regional offices.
New money is included in the salary reserve, 1599-6901, at $12,000,000 but far below the need. Funding will exclude those who make above $25,000 per year in salary. State employees did receive collective bargaining increases during FY’07 (after Final FY2007 budget) so facility budget rose by $8 million dollars prior to the $3 Million reduction.The joint Department of Education-Department of Mental retardation (DOE/DMR) was level-funded at $8 million.
The ripple effect from these cuts is not yet known. In addition to cutting services, it places further pressure on providers who have not had cost of living increases since 1987.
We have created factsheets that correspond to budget priorities identified by The Arc and our allies. The factsheets are printer-friendly and designed for use when speaking to your elected officials. Please note: Viewing these factsheets requires Adobe Acrobat Reader, free software available for download here.
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