From the Salt Lake Tribune:Though federal stimulus dollars have salvaged many of the programs for the disabled, people like Lesley Wubker (pictured) still have something to worry about.
As a Utahn with an intellectual disability, he relies on state funding to pay for the help he needs, whether it's getting him to the doctor or keeping an eye on his finances.
The state serves 262 people like Wubker, and the funding for about half of them remained on the cutting room floor Wednesday afternoon -- one of the few programs for the disabled still at risk.
When Wubker, who lives on his own and works as a dishwasher, struggled with a dangerous neck and nerve condition that made his hands nearly useless, a state-paid agency rescued him.
"If it wouldn't have been for [them] checking on him, he could have literally laid there and died," said his sister, Karen Musslewhite, who lives in east Texas.
At issue is about $265,000, which primarily goes toward employment programs in which nonprofits coordinate jobs and training. The state spends money on this group because they don't qualify for federal Medicaid services from the Division of Services for People with Disabilities.
Should the cut occur, the state hopes to ease the impact by finding other community resources.
"Our goal is to insure smooth transitions for people and not just leave them out in the cold," said Alan Ormsby, director of DSPD.
The state would prioritize its clients based on their needs and risks.
The cut would go into effect July 1.
Some nonprofits that work with the disabled say they have been reluctant to tell clients of the potential cuts, not wanting to incite fear.
" What they're getting is so minimal that any change in their services could be a big change," said Phil Shumway, executive director of TURN Community Services.
Losing state funding could mean reducing staff hours, he said, in an effort to maintain services for clients.
"Their health and safety is at issue," said Kathy Strah, a job coach for Wubker. "If they didn't have the help with their finances, somebody might exploit them."
Colleen Williams and her husband, Larry, who both have cerebral palsy, receive help with cleaning and shopping, allowing them to stay in a Holladay condo. They've been married for 26 years.
"If we lose our housekeeping, we think we'd have to go into an assisted living facility," she said.
