The Pennsylvania Waiting List Campaign

The Facts are ...

Pennsylvania Waiting List Campaign Fact Sheet
February 2009

The Pennsylvania Waiting List Campaign’s goal is to end the devastation of Waiting Lists for persons who are in need of services through the Pennsylvania Office of Developmental Programs Mental Retardation and Bureau of Autism Services. The waiting list is comprised of self advocates, families, caregivers who are registered with the system and waiting for funding for services and supports, and also providers, agencies and supporters who work with us to reach our common goals.

21,161 people from across the state are waiting for services through the Mental Retardation system as of February 21, 2009; 4,608 are in immediate need.
Approximately 800 students in special education graduate in Pennsylvania each year from high school. If adequate funding is not available, many of these young adults will be unable to retain a job or receive meaningful activities during the day. The entire family is under increased pressure to maintain a quality of life for their son daughter or family member that will not result in regression of skills both cognitively and socially.
Parents and family members face the prospect of leaving their jobs to stay at home to care for their loved one if appropriate services are not obtained.
Parents, many in their 70’s and 80’s, can no longer provide care for their sons and daughters living at home. As they grow older, they need supports themselves and often are struggling to keep their loved ones safe and healthy.

The PA Waiting List Campaign appeals to you to lend your voice and give your support for the following initiatives:

Provide services for all of the 4,608 people in the Emergency Category of the MR Waiting List.
Support increased supports and services for adults with Autism.
Support the COLA for mental retardation and autism community services.

We are seeking to provide supports to adult to live with their aging caregivers. Mental Retardation and Autism services must address changing needs across the entire life span.

We seek a continuation of support for the 800 students graduating from school each year by making this allocation a permanent line item in the budget. Providing support at graduation prevents regression, maintains connections to community, allows parents to continue working to support their household and cuts off the waiting list at the source

Funding for these services will have a tremendous impact for people and their families on waiting lists. The Waiting List Campaign thanks and applauds all the leaders across the state who continue to support our mission and goals. However, more assistance and attention to this matter is needed.
We respectfully request that the Commonwealth tackle these issues now so they don’t grow to points where there is continued crisis and no solution. We call for a creation of long term plan to address the waiting list. Supporting our most vulnerable citizens is a core function of government and must be a priority. Thousands of people wait for the supports they need to be happy, healthy, productive citizens in their communities.

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