Monday, May 30, 2011

Opinion: Cutting Funds for Supported Employment Programs Poses a Higher Cost

Compelling argument by Cameron Haste, chief operations officer of Bay Federal Credit Union and a HOPE Services board member, in the San Jose Mercury News.

In this challenging time, state funds need to provide an effective return on investment. Cuts to the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) continue to threaten job placement programs that get individuals with developmental disabilities employed -- and when these cuts occur, we increase these individuals' reliance on state funding.
In a study released by Kent State University in March 2010, researchers demonstrated the cost-efficiency of supporting employment for people with severe disabilities.
Another study published in the Tash Journal showed that hiring these individuals returned an average monthly net benefit to taxpayers of $251 (or an annual net benefit of $3,016 per supported employee) and generated a benefit-cost ratio of $1.46 for every dollar spent.

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