Comments on: Agency left $38 million unspent on disabled people needing care

By: Terry Harrigan

Terry Harrigan — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 21:15:00 +0000

This is outrageous, sad and unconscionable. My wife and I provide services for our disabled adult daughter because no placement is available. Our daily lives have been affected for more than 27 years. There are 7,000 others out there in the state in similar situations. If the state cannot provide care for the truely incapable why are they our representatives?!

By: MarylandReporter.com wins journalism award for disabilities story | Maryland News & Things to Do Blog

Wed, 13 Jun 2012 15:16:15 +0000

[…] three stories were: “Agency left $38 million unspent on disabled people needing care,” “Caregivers are angry over unspent disabilities funding” and “Health officials pledge to […]

By: Twilkes

Twilkes — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:36:00 +0000

It’s time to clean house at every level of government. They do not serve the people–only their pocketbooks.

By: GUEST

GUEST — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:08:00 +0000

This is disturbing on SO MANY levels!!! Not only does someone need to be held accountable for this injustice but the unspent money needs to be returned to the people it was intended for, NOW!
What did our elected officials do with the surplus?

By: Sherie Robey

Sherie Robey — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 02:08:00 +0000

Nine years ago, my sister, who is 67 had to come live with my husband and myself, as our last parent past away. When she was 17, the state of Maryland sent our parents a letter stating, ” we have to inform you that she can not return to school as we are not able to provide classes due t her disablitiy”.
I understand FAPE, but come on… no services. My sister only received SSDI after our father passed away 27 years ago, and nothing else. Our mother had no knowledge about resources, resource co-ordination, DORS, DDA, respite…. NOTHING. My husband and I have been on the gerbil wheel ourselves with waiting list after waiting list. We finally tapped into some funding through DORS for employable training. At 58, our sister learned that she could work part time. Guess Where? Home Depot 12 hrs a week! This is can be attributed to n agency, but to my husband and myself. However, there is not enough money for her to live independently, nor collect food stamps or even Medical Assistance.I have been told tho that if I was not a “nice” sister, she may move higher on the list. What does that mean? I have to put her out to maybe qualify, We have even been told that she needs to stay on the waiting list so that the funds are allocated. WOW – go figure, they have been allocated and no one cared enough to properly do their job to assist those that need a voice, and advocates. Instead, it took advantage of the “nice” folks. Maybe the state should take the money, divide it among those that are on the lists; start over, and make it right. My sister was told a year ago that DORS would provide a service so that ARC could train my sister; nothing happened – then we received a letter that said basically, congratulations we helped. What a slap in our face, to the hard work of my husband, myself and of course my sister.. When I inquired as to where the allocated funds went, no answer, but yet another letter that said… oh well now we will provide post employment follow up services. have not seen that either. Who is getting that money? My guess is none of the politicians, and other decision makers know what it is like to be in our shoes as caregivers or disabled! Otherwise they would be the trustworthy, voice for the folks that need it the most ~ the disabled and their caregivers. Any other louder advocates out there? Is this dscrimination for the disabled?

By: Caregivers are Angry Over Unspent Disabilities Funding

Caregivers are Angry Over Unspent Disabilities Funding — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 14:00:07 +0000

[…] of the caregivers and advocates for the disabled were angry and upset after MarylandReporter.com reported about the unspent money three weeks ago, a surplus that forced $25 million in potential state aid to be reverted to the […]

By: raymond britt

raymond britt — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:05:00 +0000

Since federal and state governments were not financially guarding the hen house (this agencies spending), it also makes me wonder how the accounting practices are in special education are also. Same old stuff, “We don’t have the money”, but state coffers continue to have up to 30% of IDEA monies in their coffers for the month of December. Simple accounting is — assets – liabilities = Net Worth. When the director continues to have lots more money in their financial account than they should, something is amiss. Just downright idiotic for these disabled people to have gone through what they did, and probably why 15 businesses within the state had to go out of business.

By: raymond britt

raymond britt — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 12:56:00 +0000

In reply to P Martin. Sandra, This is a very good question. My question is, Has anyone been held accountable for this injustice to disabled people? If answer is no, why not?

By: raymond britt

raymond britt — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 12:52:00 +0000

In reply to Suzanne Stevenson.

Suzanne,

I do not live in Maryland, however, as an advocate for special education children, and all that is going on in special education (very bad stuff), this is just outrageous for this to happen in today’s computerized world. Someone was not doing their job to have allowed this to happen, while disabled people suffer. I would believe that something likes this may be going on in special education throughout our nation as well, because at present many states have 30% remaining in December (almost) which in some states amounts to $56,000,000.00. A Travesty of justice by this agency and to the victims of disability of this state. This appears the wave of what’s happening in America today. So, so, sorry for your daughter as well as to all those that suffered so greatly. Sgt Raymond L. Britt, USMC. OAMAAM

By: P Martin

P Martin — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 19:48:00 +0000

In reply to Sandra Spears – Parent.

Can the money be retrieved? good question-one for Senator Kasemeyer at phone: 410-841-3653 or 1-800800-492-7122 (toll free). E-mail:
edward.kasemeyer@senate.state.md.us.