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Last week, the Los Angeles Times Staff Writer Karen Garcia published an important investigative article showing how Governor Newsom’s proposed $1 billion funding cuts to disability services will impact individuals with developmental disabilities, their families and the workforce.
The Department of Developmental Services pays private contractors (service providers) to provide residential and day programs, including work and training activities, on a per-person basis using a combination of state and federal funds. But lawmakers recognized in the mid-2010s that the rates — which have been frozen or cut during previous state budget crises — did not support an adequate supply of providers to meet the need for services, according to the Legislative Analyst’s Office.
Garcia interviewed Jordan Lindsey, Executive Director, The Arc of California for the story.
“When a family goes to a referred provider, they’re often met with waiting lists of many months,” said Lindsey. “Or, they’re turned away entirely because the provider doesn’t have enough staff to support the varying needs of new clients.”
Staffing levels are low across the state because wages start between $16 and $20 an hour for a difficult, complex job, he added.
Click HERE to download the full article, or use the following link to view online: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-04-17/california-budget-cuts-would-harm-autistic-young-adults
We encourage you to share with your networks, and/or write a letter to the editor to provide comments, and urging the Legislature to reject Governor Newsom’s proposal to delay/cut $1 billion in funding for disability services.
If you haven’t already done so, you can click HERE to email the Governor and your elected officials using our Action Alert online. It only takes two minutes.
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