Human Services Presents Budget To Lawmakers
Air Date:02/15/2011
By Kealey Bultena
The Department of Human Services has proposed a budget to lawmakers from both chambers.
As part of the ten percent cut recommended by Governor Dennis Daugaard, Human Services plans to cut provider payments by ten percent and eliminate more than a million dollars from job services. Director of Rehabilitation Services Grady Kinkul says the remaining budget is enough to serve everyone in the coming year.
“We are just coming off of two years of stimulus funding that was a federal appropriation. We did have additional people coming into the program. That funding is running out," Kunkul says. "500 people came through the program using that funding. 300 of them have entered into employment, and, with the remaining funds, there’s about 140 left on our caseload, they will also be able to go into employment.”
After the proposal, people who utilize disability services testified the help they receive is essential. Centers that offer aid say decreasing funds will cut services and jobs, and that could mean fewer people with disabilities able to live independently.
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