California funding cuts may mean goodbye to after-school programs for disabled kids

From KESQ-TV in California:

Some parents of students with disabilities may be faced with a tough decision thanks to budget cuts. After-school programs are being cut and that may force some to put their kids in an institution. However, the community can help the students overcome the economy and their personal challenges.

"It's dreadful, absolutely dreadful," says Greg Wetmore, President and CEO of the United Cerebral Palsy Center.

The United Cerebral Palsy Center offers free after-school programs in Palm Springs and Indio for about 90 children with special needs. This year, the center lost $275,000 in state funding, forcing the programs to shut down.

"Parents are in our offices in tears, asking what they will do," says Wetmore.

For some, there are only two options and neither of them are good. The students will either be institutionalized or stay at home alone.

"These are not the kids that can be latch and key kids," says Wetmore. "They can't just go home after school alone and be safe and comfortable. They need attention."

The main goal of the UCP is to get the children out in the community, socializing with their peers.

Through the after-school programs, they go to the movies, bowling, and out to eat. Without the program, most of the children won't have any interaction.

Parents rely on the supervision here and their children rely on the activity.

"They're now understanding who they really are and what being in a community is about," says Wetmore.

Now, UCP leaders are looking to the community for help. They hope fundraisers, grants and donations will pay off so the kids don't have to say goodbye to their fun and friends.