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Piatt County Mental Health Center (217) 762-5371

Established 1970.

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Information from www.iarf.org

Governor’s Proposed FY12 Budget—Another Year of Cuts for Community Services

Governor Quinn’s proposed budget for FY12 includes steep cuts to community programs serving individuals with developmental disabilities, mental illness, and substance abuse disorders, while also increasing funding for staff working in institutions.

Community Services Cuts in the Proposed FY12 Budget

$76.25 million in CUTS from community programs serving individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities, including:

6% Medicaid rate reduction - $56.3 million

Elimination of respite programs - $10.4 million

Elimination of epilepsy and dental grants - $2.2 million

Elimination of family assistance program stipends - $889 thousand

10% cut to child and adult home-based services and supports - $4.48 million

$39.53 million in CUTS from community programs serving individuals with mental illness, including:

6% Medicaid rate reduction - $7.5 million

20% reduction in mental health grants - $21.4 million

Elimination of psychotropic medication funding - $2.65 million

Elimination of mental health transportation funding - $1.2 million

Reduction of children & adolescent community grants - $1.2 million

Reduction of individual care grants - $1.5 million

$53.6 million in CUTS from community alcohol and substance abuse treatment programs, including:

6% Medicaid rate reduction - $7.1 million

Elimination of addiction treatment funding, non-Medicaid eligible - $47.1 million

$2.69 million in CUTS from community rehabilitation services programs, including

Reduction of independent living centers funding - $1.6 million

Elimination of extended supported employment program funding $1.1 million

Institutional Setting Increases in the Proposed FY12 Budget

$89.25 million in INCREASES for wages and benefits for state employees in the Department of Human Services, including

$47.27 million in INCREASES for wages and benefits for state employees working at state institutions

The proposed FY12 budget fails to address the Governor’s stated goals of system rebalancing, promoting home and community-based services and prioritizing the efficient use of resources.

Disproportionate Cuts to Community Programs in Recent Fiscal Years

Should the cuts to community programs outlined above be preserved in the final FY12 budget approved by the General Assembly, this would lead to:

$212.2 million in cuts to community programs for infants, children, and adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities from FY10 – FY12;

$153.2 million in cuts to community programs for individuals with mental illness from FY09 – FY12; and

$69 million in cuts to community addiction treatment programs for non-Medicaid eligible individuals from FY10 – FY12.

Over the course of the same fiscal year budgets, we note that other discretionary funded programs have increased:

$34.2 million in increases in funding to state operated institutions

$168.9 million in increases to nursing homes

$280.7 million in increases to general state aid education funding

Alternatives to Proposed FY12 Budget Cuts to Community Services:

Based on the value of programs serving individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities and mental illness in the community, we continue to believe it is unwise and not in the best interests of the citizens of Illinois and the General Assembly to approve an FY12 budget that enacts the cuts to community programs proposed in the Governor’s introduced budget. We remind you:

Community programs are consistent with the landmark ADA case Olmstead v. L.C. and E.W., in that community agencies provide services “in the most integrated settings appropriate to the needs of qualified individuals with disabilities.”

Individuals actively receiving outpatient community mental health services aren’t receiving more costly inpatient services in acute settings (hospitals) and aren’t being incarcerated.

Recent lawsuits in Illinois (Ligas v. Hamos and Williams v. Quinn), as well as federal programs (Community First Choice option, additional flexibilities in waiver programs, incentives to establish health homes for chronic conditions) are pushing Illinois to join the national trend of providing more services and supports for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities and mental illness in community settings.

The Medicaid reform bill (HB 5420/P.A. 96-1496) calls for more parity in funding between institutional and community programs.

Re-Prioritize Appropriations in Proposed FY12 Budget

Rather than the General Assembly move forward with an FY12 budget that clearly would further erode the community system of services and supports, the Association recommends a menu of options to mitigate/eliminate the cuts proposed in the Governor’s introduced FY12 budget.

The Governor’s proposed FY12 budget includes $26.7 billion in ‘discretionary’ spending (not including pension payments and transfers). The Association believes a thorough review of the programs funded in this proposed budget – true to the Budgeting for Outcomes approach – could yield reductions in other areas of state spending to preserve funding levels for community programs for persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities and mental illness. Since we are discussing funding for programs that serve as the healthcare and long-term services and supports that help people live, work, and recreate in community settings – then we need to consider what must be sacrificed in other areas of state spending to preserve these commitments.

Reduce/Eliminate Programs in other State Agency Budgets – Through reviewing General Revenue Fund and Other State Fund spending proposed for other state agencies (not DHS), the Association has identified $74 million in spending that could be re-allocated to DHS to completely mitigate the proposed 6% Medicaid rate cut ($66 million) to community intellectual/developmental disability, mental health, and substance abuse treatment programs.

Re-Prioritize Spending in DHS Budget – The proposed FY12 budget includes increased appropriations in several areas of the Department’s operations spending. The Association has identified $96.6 million in increased spending over FY11 levels on wages and benefits, contractual services, and commodity purchases.

Due to successive fiscal years of cuts and payment delays, community providers have consolidated administrative activities, renegotiated contractual arrangements for services and commodities, and laid off staff or maintained staff vacancies. In the spirit of shared sacrifice, the Association recommends the General Assembly consider these increases against the backdrop of proposed cuts to the community.

HOURS

Tues. - Wed. - Thurs.: 8:30 A.M. to 8:00 P.M

Mon. & Fri., 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M

DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES HOURS:

Mon.- Fri.: 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M

To schedule an appointment, the Center can be reached by phone Tues., Wed., Thurs., from 8:30 AM until 8:00 PM. or from 8:30 AM until 4:30 PM Mon. and Fri., at 217-762-5371.

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Outpatient Services: (217) 762-5371

CRISIS LINE:

217-762-HELP (4357)