The title of this post may sound like a joke - but it's incredibly serious, incredibly sad, and sadly very true.

After decreasing last year, the waiting list for Oklahomans needing I/DD services has grown again, to the highest level ever.

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We’ve been waiting for this day for a long time! The momentous (and super exciting) project we’ve been working on with CMS, OPWDD/New York State, and Partners Health Plan has been officially announced.

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It's the end of October and Pennsylvania has been working without a budget for four months now.
Human service agencies are wondering how long this budget impasse will last - as they attempt to determine how long they will last - without funding. 

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Dear Illinois, 

C'mon, you're better than this. The drawn-out showdown between Republican Governor Bruce Rauner and the Democrats who control the General Assembly is causing a whole lot of trouble for a whole lot of people. I, for one, am really disappointed in you. After more than three months without a state budget, you're still acting like a bunch of stubborn jerks who need to be right at any cost. Every last one of you needs to think about the serious damage your pigheadedness is doing. 

The terribly sad stories that illustrate the disruptive and disturbing consequences of not having a budget have become all too commonplace - and every new day that goes by just results in even more of them. Services are being postponed or denied, agencies are begging and borrowing, and people are suffering. The worst part is, that doesn't seem to phase you.

Haven't you ever heard that apologies and compromise aren't always about being right? Sometimes you compromise because you value your relationships and the overall good more than you value your pride. I hope that you've been thinking about that - but unfortunately, you don't seem to be thinking about much. 

You just had a hearing to decide whether or not personal allowances for people with disabilities can be adjusted back to $60 per month (after the previous rate of $30 was reinstated again in July). $60 per month still won't be enough. In fact, it's not enough to cover personal expenses for anyone - with or without a disability. If there's a way cover the costs of clothing, dental care, podiatry, medication co-pays, psychiatric visits, snacks and entertainment with $60 every month, please share. While you're at it, you can fill us in on what happens to the people who don't have anyone who can subsidize their care. 

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