State advocacy news: South Carolina Ways and Means proposes slashing services for Department of Disabilities and Special Needs - would eliminate all DDSN services except residential

On February 25, 2010, the South Carolina Legislature House Ways and Means Committee adopted a budget that would not only reduce the base budget by $42.3 million, but these reductions would lose the state matching Medicaid and other Federal funds which supply additional revenue for disability services at a ratio of 2:1 in Federal to state funds - resulting in an additional $110 million dollar shortfall.

The South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs estimates that should the cuts not be restored, by necessity it must meet the needs of 4800 individuals in residential care; to accomplish that in the face of the proposed budget cuts would require elimination of service to 25,700 consumers being served under categories such as,

• autism, 
• brain injury,
• mental retardation, and 
• spinal cord injury, 

and services including, but not limited to:

• early intervention, 
• day programs,
• workshops, 
• respite, 
• family support, 
• acute rehabilitation for traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury,
• attendant care, 
• the Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) program,
• specialized therapies, and 
• service coordination. 

An estimated 3100 jobs would also be lost with the budget cut.

The South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs sent a lettter dated February 26, 2010, to Daniel T. Cooper, Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, informing him of  the impact of the proposed cuts and requesting that funding be restored.

 Carolina Autism, and many other groups, such as the South Carolina Autism Society, have issued alerts for stakeholders to contact their state legislators as well as a reminder of an especial need for face-to face advocacy at the already scheduled Wednesday, March 3, 2010, Disability Advocacy Day at the South Carolina Statehouse.


References and for more information

South Carolina Legislature

Information on Disability Advocacy Day,
including what needs to happen before showing up to the capitol, and directions and parking.
March 3, 2010, 9:00AM-2:00PM
South Carolina Autism Society

South Carolina Autism Society (more info on DDSN cuts)

South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs

Disability Advocacy Day at State House on Wednesday
Indexjournal.com
Sunday, February 28, 2010 11:16 PM EST

Funding cuts may hammer Tri-Dev
Aikenstandard.com
3/1/2010 8:12 PM

Related blog post
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
State advocacy news - Autism New Jersey (formerly COSAC) needs your help to restore their funding and services

© 2010 Regina G. Claypool-Frey
Disclaimer: This blog publishes news and announcements only as a service to interested persons, the posts are the responsibility of the individual author, and unless otherwise noted do not constitute nor claim to represent the official position of ABA International, its officers or associated entities. This blog makes no representation as to the accuracy of the report and readers are strongly encouraged to consult and reference the primary sources noted.