Watching Fl. Crumble -- big cut for disabled - warning

[donsu]

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/content/auto/epaper/editions/sunday/news_f3da6cd537681017005a.html

State cuts decrease options for disabled

-snip-

State officials say the cuts are needed to prevent a shortfall they project at $27 million. Though the legislature has consistently increased spending on developmental disabilities, it has not been enough to meet rising costs and demand for services. Agencies that offer work and training programs for people with disabilities like Down syndrome and cerebral palsy say the cuts will force them to close programs and lay off staff.

Tina Philips, president and chief executive officer of Palm Beach Habilitation Center, in Lake Worth, said she likely will have to close the computer lab, which costs about $100,000 a year. The small room opened in 1995 and offers specially designed equipment and one-on-one tutoring for people with disabilities, including mild mental retardation, quadriplegia, mental illness and severe arthritis.

(just when we will be having a lot of "quadriplegia" to deal with)

-snip-

State officials say they must cut the rates they pay to 14,000 contracting agencies because of rising costs. Overall, agencies will still get a modest increase over last year, they say.

(ah, the sound of garble)

-snip-

Hochstaedt said she has warned families who are thinking of retiring to Florida with their adult disabled children. There is no money for the most vulnerable, she said.

"I say don't bring them here. Leave them where you are. We don't have anything for you."
---------------------------------


let's see, what other states can they go to?

[madrchsod]

1. 87 billion

for iraq,nothing for us.

[The Backlash Cometh]

2. California is next.

Remember Jeb gave Arnold our budget analyst on loaner. Compliments of the Florida tax-payer.

[Semi_subversive]

4. Ain't we lucky

Thank goodness I work for a revenue producing, Constitutional office. Per statute, the $$ collected by fees can only be used for our functions, so AS's new Finance vampire can't do a whole lot to us.

[soup]

8. side note-

Thought I read somewhere recently she's now permanently employed by CA. not just a loaner.

I'd look it up, but can't remember her name. :crazy:

personal note- my grandson is labelled developmentally delayed. When these cuts take place, it really hits home.

Going through the channels now (actually since last spring's IEP) trying to get him a keyboard for classroom use. In the meantime he struggles along, knowing which letter he wants to write, but unable to translate that to the paper legibly or in a timely manner.

The 'temporary' solution is using magnetic letters and board- so he can keep up when taking a spelling test.

So often I have to wonder what in the hell is wrong with people? Millions upon millions to lure and finance Scripps, but a shrug for:

>Staffers start at $8.91 an hour. Ciaramella believes his staff is the best paid in the area. "We want the best of the best," he said.<

and

>Ciaramella sat at a folding table decorated with Styrofoam flowers this week, laying out disappointment after disappointment. In July, he got a fax saying his rate for the year would be $60 per client per day. Recently, he got a new message saying there was a mistake. The state can only afford $54.<

Need to stop now- anger is getting the best of me, and the string of invectives I'm about to unleash are not exactly fit for public viewing.

[The Backlash Cometh]

11. The Children Left Behind

The Democrats should gather all these kids together who are hurting under Republican policies and take a photograph for a spread in the New York Times. Republicans never intended to put any effort into social services, beyond the time it would take them to come up with a soundbite. "Leave no child behind." Yeah, right.

[mmonk]

3. Yes

in my state, anytime there is a budget shortfall, cuts are always to mental health programs, disability programs, programs for children with learning disabilities. It seems its always cut programs for those who most need it first. Makes no since. I presume they feel those of us who are effected by these cuts have no political power or don't vote.

[zbdent]

6. Like the Star Trek Voyager episode where the Doctor

was kidnapped this one planet.

The lower levels were dying off many a day, while the "elite" higher-ups were getting the life-curing "magic pill" to fend off the equivalent of wrinkles.

(yes, I know. Star Drek, but it illustrates the point).

The change only started when the Head Administrator's status changed from "elite" to "commoner". And then, he couldn't get back, because nobody believed him.

Of course, the commoner who gave up his meager (if any) allotment to put the administrator back in place, died of the disease.

Scares me that, if Polio was rampant today, as opposed to the early part of this century, and the cure was just discovered, it would only be available to people able to afford donating $100K to BushCo.

[Don_G]

5. Every Citizen Is At Risk

Especially those who don't "support" ShrubCo.

[KayLaw]

7. I don't understand

The Republicans say tax cuts increase revenue and prevent this sort of shortfall from happening. We've had the tax cuts, the Bushies are saying the economy is doing so well, so what's the problem, please? What kind of nation lets its most helpless citizens suffer so?

[mmonk]

9. about the tax cuts increases revenue theory

take that to its illogical conclusion.

[Grins]

10. Another example..

I guess that it's just another example of "COMPASSIONATE CONSERVATISM"

[Kanary]

12. Will be lots more

Anyone ready to speak up now?

Kanary