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Wisconsin State Journal :: OPINION :: A10
Wednesday, October 22, 2003
Jen Squire
Despite the recent spin, human services in Dane County are still on the
chopping block. The budget proposal in the hands of county board members
doesn't just trim the fat. If the budget passes as is, supervisors will be
cutting services to the bone.For the past 13 years staff who work with people with developmental disabilities and the agencies that serve them have had to make due with inadequate cost-of-living increases from the county. Such funding levels have eroded their ability to provide competitive wages and benefits to the front-line workers who help people with disabilities live and work in Dane County.
Next year, agencies that hire new staff at $8.85 per hour will need to pass the bulk of 10-25 percent increases in health insurance costs to these underpaid employees. One member of the Dane County Developmental Disabilities Coalition will most likely increase staff co-pays for office visits, prescriptions, emergency room visits, and ambulance use. Also at risk are increases in the coinsurance for inpatient services, and the employee share of the premium.
It's no wonder these agencies experience 40-50 percent staff turnover annually.
The bottom line is that it is people with developmental disabilities who are ultimately hurt from staff turnover. Other significant disruptions are also likely to occur in these people's lives, due to insufficient funding of years past and the current budget proposal to cut $2.15 million in existing services.
Next year forecasts reduced care hours, individuals moving from their current homes, staff lay-offs, higher staff-to-consumer ratios, and greater difficulty finding and keeping jobs for people with developmental disabilities. Such changes will lead to instability, crisis, less choice, and an overall decrease in quality of life for people with disabilities.
As non-disabled citizens, we must remember that people with disabilities enrich our community. They are our family members, friends and neighbors. Funding their programs provides jobs for Dane County residents; they pay taxes, rent or own housing, buy groceries, and contribute to the diversity that makes Dane County special.
Dane County is considered one of the most successful counties in the state, even the country, for removing people from institutions and nursing homes. For decades Dane County has emphasized the philosophy of community-based services and made a commitment to countless families.
Yet funding to community services has not kept up with increasing costs and inflation, and cuts are in store for next year. Now where is Dane County's commitment to people with developmental disabilities?
The County Board needs to protect vital services to people with developmental disabilities - not harm them. As representatives of all people with disabilities, the staff who support them, and their family members, supervisors must be the leaders they've signed up to be and restore funding to human services.
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