Restore funding for sheltered workshops

Thanks to Linn County supervisors for offering residents an opportunity to offer input as they begin writing next year's budget. This is an excellent time to review priorities and make sure that they are accurately reflected in our spending. What could be more basic to our community than to take care of those who cannot take care of themselves?

Providing our disabled with sheltered workshops gives them the dignity of work and allows them to contribute to society to the extent they are able. It also reduces their need for public assistance. For those who are less capable, sheltered workshops fill an important niche.

To make funding decisions based only on meeting attendance would be discriminatory and penalize the disabled and their advocates. I trust that the supervisors would not make funding decisions based solely on those who are able to attend the forum(s).

Last year Linn County had a budget deficit and made significant cuts to funding for sheltered workshops. Many of our disabled lost their jobs. While there was another source for prevocational training in Medicaid, there were also significant restrictions attached to it. An alternative to sheltered workshops is day habilitation but, in most cases, this actually costs the taxpayers more than the sheltered workshops.

As the supervisors begin writing next year's budget, I urge them to restore the funding for sheltered workshops that was cut from previous budgets.

Janet Sullivan

Marion