This isn't the same budget fight advocates for the disabled have encountered in recent years.
The Department of Developmental Services has seen nearly $500 million in cuts to its budget in the past couple of years.
This year, the governor is proposing to cut $750 million to the Department of Developmental Services, most of which is in unspecified cuts.
The proposal could be detrimental to service providers and Californians with disabilities, said Amy Wall, Wall, government affairs director for California Disability Services Association.
Wall was speaking to members of the Legislature and local politicians to help shed light on the impact of the cuts during the seventh annual Inland Empire Caucus legislative breakfast in Ontario.
The IEC - an advocacy network of local agencies serving more than 6,000 people with disabilities - meets with legislators in the area to address the caucus' concerns.
At the breakfast were representatives of the 12 agencies in the Inland Empire. The agencies, which partner with 700 businesses in the region, provide personal growth skills, vocational training as well as job placement services, said Wendy Rogina, president of Rancho-Cucamonga based Vocational Improvement Program, commonly known as VIP, Inc.
The hardest part of the proposed 20 percent cuts is the unknown, she said.
The California Legislative Analyst's Office suggests more specific savings:
Total expenditures for the regional center system that provides services for persons with developmental disabilities more than doubled between 1999–00 and 2009–10, leading to a series of actions by the Legislature to slow down the growth in the program. In this report, we describe and assess proposals in the Governor’s 2011–12 budget plan to achieve further cost containment in programs administered by the Department of Developmental Services (DDS), including community services. We also provide the Legislature with additional options to achieve savings in community services through expansion of the existing Family Cost Participation Program (FCPP) or through implementation of “means testing” to determine program eligibility. Either of the approaches that we recommend would help ensure the long–term sustainability of the program for those consumers with the greatest financial need for its services.
The California Disability Action Network is calling for testimony:
FEBRUARY 10th - THURSDAY
WHO: SENATE BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE #3 ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
WHEN: 09:30 AM or upon adjournment of the Senate floor session (Senate will convene at 09:00 AM and likely adjourn by 09:30 AM.
WHAT: Hearing on Developmental Services Proposed Cuts
WHERE: State Capitol in Room 4203
CAN PUBLIC TESTIFY?: YES – very brief (can also submit written comments)PLEASE BRING A PHOTO OF YOURSELF OR A LOVED ONE OR A FRIEND OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW THAT WILL SHOW POLICYMAKERS THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A HUMAN LIFE – NOT JUST A PROGRAM OR SERVICE. HOLD UP THAT PHOTO WHEN YOU ARE IN THE HEARING ROOMS AND ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU SPEAK. SAY “I AM HERE ALSO FOR BECKY” or “ADAM” or WHOEVER ELSE YOU IT IS. THIS IS ABOUT A PERSON – A HUMAN LIFE. AND EVERY LIFE MATTERS.
