Cuts could leave mentally disabled jobless, homeless

SantaRosaChronicle.com
April 28, 2008

State funding cuts could force mentally disabled people to choose between homes, jobs and community participation; and end up costing the government more in the long run, say local advocates for the developmentally disabled.

“I’d like just one year where I could say to my families: ‘we don’t have to worry.’ I’m tired of crying,” says ARC Santa Rosa Director Ann Smith, of the news.

“There’s going to be some very difficult decisions that families and those affected are going to have to make,” adds ARC Gateway Director Donna Fassett.

The ARC Santa Rosa provides services for the mentally disabled in the Milton area. ARC Gateway serves Pensacola-area clients.

The ARC provides skills training and job placement and programs to promote community interaction and social development. Santa Rosa’s agency also runs a plant nursery where clients work. Through assisted living programs, a number of clients are able to lease and occupy apartments. Others live in group homes or with family.

Florida legislators recently approved a measure that categorizes intellectually disabled people based on their living arrangements, and caps benefits for all but the most profound conditions.

That will likely force many mentally disabled people who are currently working and contributing towards their expenses out of jobs, apartments and group homes, say advocates – or force them to choose between working, transportation and social and community programs.

“This is not in the best interests of individuals with developmental disabilities,” says Lynn Carper. Carper’s 23-year-old wheelchair-bound son, Chris, suffers from Cerebral Palsy. She worries funding cuts will close the group home where he currently lives.

“Our folks don’t fit into nice, neat little boxes and that is exactly what the Tier system is designed to do,” she observes.

In addition to housing, currently-funded services encompass social skills and behavior training, community outings, transportation and assisted living. Often, simple daily activities, like going to the store, require a chaperone or other service provider.

“We can’t just put them on a bus and let them go out into town,” Smith notes.

Pat Smith, an ARC Gateway client who has no family, works five days a week at a plant nursery, and lives in an apartment with assisted living services, says Jenny Regan, ARC Gateway Supported Living Manager.

Under the new program, she would lose $13,000 in funding, per year. That would force her to give up her job, her apartment, or transportation services, says Regan.

“She’s concerned she’ll lose her support and security, so my question is what should she give up,” Regan remarked. “How would you make a choice of this magnitude?”

“Where are these people going to go?” adds Linda Blum.

Blum’s son John lives at home, but is working towards moving to a group home. She fears many disabled people could end up on the streets or in institutions, costing the government more in the long run.

“We’re talking about taking away peoples homes and daily activities, which is their sense of self-worth,” Blum remarks. “They deserve that. They deserve their life.”

Ann Smith fears legislators view developmentally disabled clients as ‘being on the dole.’

“Look around you -- there’s not one person here who asked to have a disability,” she remarks. “They were born with a disability.”

ARC Santa Rosa officials say they’re delaying budgeting next year’s client services, to see if Governor Charlie Crist signs the measure into law.

“We’re in limbo,” Smith says.

If the law passes, many clients will have to choose between working, transportation, and community services. Smith fears day programs, which help build social and living skills will suffer. The measure comes as gas prices are further cutting into services.

Funding cuts could produce bigger problems in coming years. Aging clients living with aging parents may be facing hard times when parents pass on.

“We’re seeing a huge generation who’ll have no advocates,” says Smith.

Ultimately, lack of funding could erase years of progress for mentally disabled people.

“We’ve worked so hard to get people out of institutions,” says Smith. “I guess this is what society wants. Let’s keep them out of sight and out of mind.”

“Families are in crisis right now, and we’re afraid of losing our sons and daughters with this implementation,” adds Carper.

Advocates are asking Crist to take another look at the proposed changes, slated to take effect July 1.

The 2nd annual Arc Santa Rosa “Spring Fling” will be held on Saturday, May 10th from 9:00 – 2:00 at The Arc Santa Rosa, Inc. in Milton.

Vendors will feature Arts, Crafts and a Plant Sale. There will also be spaces for “Flea-Market” style sales.

Editor's note: Santa Rosa Chronicle Publisher Deborah Nelson sits on the ARC Santa Rosa Board of Directors

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