People with disabilities suffer from inadequate funding

But next year could be the toughest year in more than a decade for these agencies, advocates said this week. The need for services for people with developmental disabilities continues to grow as resources dwindle.

"When weren't in a recession, there was no COLA (cost-of-living adjustment for workers)," said Kate Rollason, executive director of the Arc of the Central Chesapeake Region. "And it could have been done then."

Now it can't, Ms. Rollason said Thursday after a town hall meeting of county agencies and the families they service.

Officials from the Arc, Opportunity Builders Inc., the Down's Syndrome Connection, the Autism Society of Anne Arundel County, Partners for Success and the Friends of Early Childhood Intervention were among the roughly 75 people gathered in the basement of Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church in Severna Park to discuss the impact of the state's budget crisis.

The agencies, along with the parents and caregivers of residents who have disabilities, pleaded with lawmakers to throw some more money their way.

"This is grassroots," said David Rosenthal, president of the board of the Arc.

The frozen wages for direct-care workers - some of whom make as little as $9 per hour - are only one problem the agencies face.

More than 18,000 developmentally disabled Maryland residents sit on the Developmental Disabilities Administration's waiting list, on hold for state-funded services. In Anne Arundel County, about 1,200 residents are waiting, according to recent figures.

About 51 percent of the residents on the state list are in "crisis" mode, Ms. Rollason said.

"And crisis means crisis," she said. "It could mean they're homeless, at risk of being homeless, or they're living with a caregiver who's 70 or 80."

And with today's economic situation, "we're all sort of butting up against each other," Ms. Rollason said.

However, Gov. Martin O'Malley's administration already is preparing $200 million in budget cuts, with another bad revenue forecast due next week.

Emily Leizear of Pasadena is one of those on the waiting list.

Her 18-month-old son, William, has Joubert syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that affects development of the part of the brain that controls balance and coordination. He was diagnosed at six weeks.

Mrs. Leizear and her husband immediately started looking into state-funded programs through the administration, but found there were income requirements for many services.

"We didn't qualify," she said.

In August 2007 the family applied for the state's Model Waiver program, which has no income restrictions. Thirteen months later, they learned their application had been processed - officially putting them on the waiting list.

And so they wait.

"It's just a nightmare," Mrs. Leizear said. "We need help now."

Glenn Carr of Annapolis waited for years for services for his autistic daughter.

The administration finally called the family two years ago to let them know funding was available for a supportive employment program for his daughter, now 16. That money allows her to work a job folding clothes at T.J. Maxx.

"I have a colleague with a 30-year-old son who's challenged, and he's received the grants to be able to live independently in an apartment," said Mr. Carr. "They allow him to be able to live with pride."

There is no doubt the statewide waiting list is going to grow, he told the crowd.

"Please do not deny the weak and the helpless with continuing budget cuts," Mr. Carr said.

Ms. Rollason reminded the crowd that Maryland is one of the wealthiest states in the country. Yet it ranks 44th in funding for developmental disabilities services.

"I find it unconscionable," she said. "It puts a lot of families, a lot of people, in serious jeopardy."

County Executive John R. Leopold was one of a number of elected officials who either attended or sent representatives to the meeting. He told the crowd the waiting list must be addressed.

"Independent living is so important," said Mr. Leopold, a former member of the National Council of Disabilities. "(But) it all boils down to money."