Budget cuts will harm area’s most vulnerable

I am writing regarding funding issues related to people with developmental disabilities and mental illness. Linn County always has attempted to provide good, rehabilitative services in the community to prevent more costly institutional care, which in the long run saves money.

Because of the Iowa Legislature's action for the year that begins in July, Linn County Mental Health and Disabilities will see a deficit of $2.5 million. This deficit cannot be wiped out by trimming the excess out of programs; there is no excess. We will need to make major cuts in services that harm some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.

These services include supported employment that allows people to work in the community or transportation that keeps elderly clients from being isolated in their homes or even services as fundamental as having a normal home to live in instead of living with six or more strangers. It is the difference between people learning how to be independent in the community or living somewhere that they are fairly safe and fed but have no meaningful activities or training. Do we really want to take such a step backward?

The Legislature must restore the mental health and disabilities allowable-growth budget item to the legislative appropriation of $62.1 million.

I understand that revenues have fallen fall short of the need. However, we should not make decisions that will balance the budget on the backs of the most vulnerable residents - the disabled, mentally ill and elderly.

Jane Trobaugh

Cedar Rapids