Proposed 10 Percent Cut to State Budget Could Close Homes that Serve More than 7,000 and Would Increase Cost of Care by $200,000 Per Person Annually

San Rafael, CA -- (SBWire) -- 03/23/2011 -- On March 30th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Lifehouse will sponsor a protest at the state capitol to stop the proposed 10 percent reduction in service fees for Intermediate Care Facilities (ICF). The funding cut is part of a proposed trailer bill to the California State Budget and threatens 1,100 ICF homes statewide serving 7,000 people with developmental disabilities. Lifehouse has been serving the needs of people with developmental disabilities since 1954 in Marin, Sonoma, and San Francisco Counties, and maintains four of the 10 ICF homes in Marin County that require round-the-clock staffing.

According to Nancy Dow Moody, CEO of Lifehouse, maintaining ICF homes are clearly the most cost-effective licensed alternative to care for those with significant developmental disabilities. The proposed budget cuts would mean closing a number of ICF homes, which already operate at a loss, and may jeopardize other vital programs. Moving clients out of their ICF homes would increase the cost of care to the state by at least $200,000 per person annually by forcing them into state developmental centers. However, there are no current openings, and in fact, centers have closed in the last few years.

“Many of our clients are so fragile that moving them from their homes could threaten their lives; it’s like destroying a family,” said Moody. “We have been providing services to some of these clients for more than 30 years. Many have no family to advocate for them, and they can’t advocate for themselves.”

To learn more about the March 30 protest, send queries to mail@lifehouseagency.org.

About Lifehouse
Since 1954, Lifehouse has been assisting individuals with developmental disabilities in Marin, Sonoma, and San Francisco counties, providing life-skills training, community integration, advocacy, referrals, and information about support resources. With help from staff, donors, volunteers, and the local communities, Lifehouse has improved the quality of life for more than 300 individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Lifehouse offers individualized programs and services that are provided in an atmosphere of respect, inspiration, and purpose.

For more information about Lifehouse and to learn more about volunteer and donation opportunities, visit the organization online at http://www.lifehouseagency.org.

Contact:
Nancy Dow Moody
Lifehouse
(415) 526-5309
ndmoody@lifehouseagency.org

Tom Woolf
Woolf Media & Marketing
(415) 259-5638
tomw@woolfmedia.com