Appeal for CSLN Advocacy Fund Donations
Friends of Supported Living and Independent Living Services,
This year has been harrowing as we have witnessed the devastating cuts to services and supports to persons with developmental disabilities in California. Beyond the cuts in Regional Center funding, the people we support also had to endure cuts to their SSI benefits, cuts to “optional” essential medical services such as dental care, optometry, podiatry, and to adult speech therapy. The California Home Owner and Renter Credit has also been cut along with IHSS hours. Hours and services to Independent Living Services have also been cut back, just when they have been hardest hit by the other cuts.
Looming threats, yet to be realized, are a reduction in wages to IHSS workers, further cuts to SSI, and targeted cuts to Regional Center services and supports. It is important for CSLN members to recognize the size of the fiscal crisis facing the state, and indirectly facing providers and the people we support. The primary purpose and function of the Network over the past 14 years has been to advocate for the availability of quality supported living and independent living services to Californians with developmental disabilities.
Although the leaders of the Network receive no compensation for their advocacy work, sustained lobbying efforts to keep our services alive and viable require substantial funding. Although the Network has linked with various other advocacy entities such as the California Disability Services Association, California Disability Rights, and the ARC in this effort, the California Supported Living Network remains the only membership organization focused solely on preserving and promoting supported living and independent living services as an advocacy organization.
If you feel that you can contribute to this effort, please mail your check today to the address below, or scroll down to pay by credit card:
CSLN
Attention: Joe Donofrio, CSLN Treasurer
135 E. Live Oak, Suite 104
Arcadia, Ca 91006