Friday, July 22, 2011

R.I. Agencies Reeling from Budget Cuts

NARRAGANSETT, R.I. -- Social service agencies working with adults with developmental disabilities are worried that budget cuts and state reforms will radically change the way they help their clients.

“There are major issues with the budget,” said Donna Martin, executive director of the Community Provider Network of Rhode Island, an organization representing 19 private providers of services and supports to people with developmental disabilities. “The governor proposed a $9.5 million reduction for services for adults with behavioral and developmental disabilities. House Finance passed $24 million in cuts directly to individual services, and a $4.2 million cut in transportation that is embedded in the [state Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals] budget and earmarked for us. It is another unfunded mandate that heavily affects people who live at home with their families.”

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