Advocates Say State's Programs For Disabled In Crisis Mode Despite First Funding Increase In 9 Years

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Employees for state-funded programs for developmentally disabled adults are in crisis mode, saying funding for the programs has remained stagnant since 2006.

While this year's revised budget includes a 2.5 percent increase in funding for the first time in nine years, employees and families say it's nowhere near enough to make up for almost $1 billion in cuts and rising costs over that period.

Nate Tucker is just one of thousands of developmentally disabled adults in California who have a paying job, all because of state programs like the Developmental Disabilities Service Organization in Sacramento. It provides job training in areas that range from janitorial work to video production.

"They are getting paid making movies; they are getting paid being an audio engineer," said program director Dennis Curry.

But he says services across California haven't received any increase in funding since 2006, and the industry as a whole has lost nearly $1 billion since.

"A lot of programs are running right now at or below the running deficits and you can't keep running a program at a deficit," he said.

Beverly Doyle says programs like DDSO allow her son, Kevin, an outlet to become a more independent adult.

"Society does not view my son as a valuable commodity," she said. "That doesn't mean that my son isn't a human being."

Curry says this year's 2.5 percent increase isn't enough, and the dwindling funds have already forced hundreds of programs across the state to close. The ones left have many of their employees working for minimum wage and no health benefits.

A vote on the state budget is expected on Monday.