Bancroft’s Family Buzz E-Newsletter – Week of December 7, 2009

Help us preserve supports and services!

As you may know, we're hearing concerning reports coming from the State of New Jersey, with respect to the governor's order for $400 million in cuts to the current state budget. And we need everyone's help to avoid further cuts to our services.

We are monitoring this budget situation carefully, as well as similar issues in Delaware and Pennsylvania, which are also dealing with financial challenges. And, New Jersey officials are not even talking about next year's budget, which we believe will again include no rate increases for our supports and services. We are certain that our programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities will be affected, so we're preparing for what's to come.

Since 1999, community providers in New Jersey have received an average 1.2% rate-increase each year, with four of those years having no increase at all, including 2009 and 2010. When you compare this percentage with an average increase of 3.5% per year to the consumer price index (CPI) - the amount Bancroft and the rest of us pay for goods and services- it's clear why it is so difficult for us to increase compensation for our staff.

When you add other changes at the state level with respect to reimbursements and unfunded mandates, you have a sense of our challenges. In fact, a zero rate increase equates to a rate decreasewhen you take the CPI into account.

The situation in New Jersey is no longer business as usual. Although our families, persons served and the organization have advocated strongly with other provider organizations to receive an annual cost-of-care increase, it has not happened and likely never will. Programs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities may need to change to match funding levels. This is not an easy pill to swallow for those of us who care about providing high-quality programs for those we serve.

This situation also speaks to the importance of raising unrestricted money through Bancroft's Annual Fund. These donations are crucial to helping us maintain financial stability and provide much-needed services, especially when state funding is in jeopardy. (For one way to help, see the "Calling Party" piece below.)

We are calling on all our advocates - persons served, families, staff, friends and other supporters - to speak now and prevent further cuts to our services. Please contact your legislative representatives and make them aware of the need to support these services for your loved ones. None of us want the bare-bones programs we could see in the future, without adequate funding.

Please click on this link to learn more and take action:
http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=vvucgedab.0.0.7n9pimcab.0&ts=S0433&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.abcdnj.org%2Fstop-any-cuts%2F&id=preview