Massachusetts advocates call on lawmakers to return community-based services for people with mental illnesses

From The Boston Globe:

BOSTON — People with mental illness and their supporters are calling on lawmakers to restore a 17 percent reduction in funding for community-based services in Massachusetts.

Gov. Deval Patrick's proposed state budget for the next fiscal year calls for a $3 million cut for the 33 "Clubhouse" centers around the state. The centers provide day services for adults with mental illness who live on their own.

At a Statehouse rally March 1, several people who use the clubhouses on a regular basis said the program has helped them live independently and avoid costlier hospital treatment.

Rep. David Sullivan of Fall River, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, told advocates he'd fight to restore the funding, but said the group must keep the pressure on other lawmakers to do the same.