Massachusetts budget cuts threaten disability services
May 19th, 2009From the Boston Globe:
Three sisters with a rare degenerative brain disease are among 21,000 people who will lose crucial services if the Massachusetts legislature approves a proposal to cut $100 million in budget cuts. The Arc of Massachusetts has planned a protest rally at the State House this morning.
Jillian, Lindsey and Kelsey Burke would lose the recreational, respite and family support services that have kept the Burke family afloat.
A spokeswoman for the state Department of Developmental Services said shrinking revenues forced the department to take the “difficult step” of eliminating funding for family support services. “Of course no agency wants to be in a position to need to make these types of cuts, but fiscal realities required that we make some very difficult decisions,” she said.
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May 19th, 2009 at 10:11 am
Cuts to disability programs offer a sad commentary on our times. Apparently they are not viewed as essential services.
In New York the cuts have not resulted in significant service reductions yet but have impacted on the financial stability of provider agencies. One bad year is one bad year but if the trend continues our adult service system will start to come apart.
Good information on your site.