New York state Sen. David Carlucci, D-New City, who chairs the Senate Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Committee, has a new date to discuss proposed budget cuts for programs run for people with developmental disabilities.
The discussion scheduled for Thursday evening has been cancelled due to the coming snow storm, ARC of Rockland said.
Carlucci will meet March 14 with ARC of Rockland board members and upper management staff to discuss potential ramifications of the proposed 6 percent cut. The meeting will be held at ARC headquarters, 25 Hemlock Drive, Congers.
“These cuts will be disastrous to our most vulnerable citizens,” ARC Executive Director Karyl Caplan said in a news release. “Such a significant slashing of funds will inevitably mean the curtailment of some of the vital services now available to people with developmental disabilities in Rockland and across the state.”
Kaplan said if layoffs become necessary, health and safety risks will be a major concern.
“New York must stay true to its commitment to provide appropriate and adequate care to people with developmental disabilities and their families,” Kaplan said.
Sen. David Carlucci, upper right
1 Comment
My brother, has Downs Syndrome, has been helped by the programs at ARC. He has been a client at the ARC Workshop in Congers for 23 years, since graduating from the Jesse Kaplan school at 22. It is cruel to punish these people by cutting a program that does so much for them. My brother tries harder to do the things we take for granted, and has been successful because of the ARC programs.
I truly believe that 6% savings can be found in pure waste in the state spending. The people helped by ARC truly have very little, and no way to truly earn a living. The ARC program is truly a lifeline. Shame on you for hurting them!