Thursday, March 18, 2010

Protect In-Home Supportive Services

Senator Mark Leno,

As a recipient and a member of the County of Humboldt In-Home Supportive Services Advisory Board I find it difficult to understand how our State can allow elderly and disabled not to have assistance to live independently and at the same time be a part of society.

With recent changes in the IHSS Program the State has spent more money than it has saved! With further discussion taking place it seems the State has targeted only individuals that have no way of defending themselves in keeping needed support to live freely in their own homes.

As an individual I rely on the services for cleaning my home and myself and as I have noticed in the past few months, 35 years in a wheelchair has begin to take a toll on my ability to do little things. Services provided by the IHSS Program being proposed to cut would only lessen my ability to stay in my home and more than likely separate me from immediate members of my family, wife and daughter.

I am one of many that probably feel this way and surely the California Senate Budget Subcommittee can look at other alternatives to saving money besides taking it from programs that create positive society value to out State, assisting the edlerly and individuals with disabilities.

Reconsider cuts to IHSS!

Respectfully,

Charles Bean