Two programs would aid disabled

By Angie Welling
Deseret Morning News
Published: Wednesday, July 19, 2006 11:42 p.m. MDT
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With one pilot project already under way, state officials on Wednesday unveiled two more possible programs to help move disabled Utahns off a lengthy list of people waiting for services.

The ideas include a family preservation program and cooperative drop-in day centers, which, combined, could serve up to 200 of the 1,700-person waiting list.

The proposed programs would require an estimated $500,000 in state funding and would target the more than 50 percent of those now on the waiting list who seek respite care and family support services, said George Kelner, director of the state's Division of Services for People with Disabilities.

Early intervention could minimize or even eliminate the need for more intensive services later on, Kelner told members of the Health and Human Services Interim Committee.

The DSPD waiting list received a lot of attention during the 2006 legislative session, with advocates seeking an $8 million appropriation to fully fund the services. Ultimately, lawmakers approved $2.6 million, with $2 million earmarked for nearly 400 individuals with the most critical needs.

At least one lawmaker appeared ready to move forward on one of the ideas presented Wednesday.

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Rep. Ronda Rudd Menlove, R-Garland, was particularly excited about the creation of three drop-in day centers where Utahns with disabilities could receive up to six hours of daily supervision and skill building. Fees would be assessed on a sliding scale based on income, and family members would be expected to volunteer time to provide additional support and supervision.

"I'm intrigued with this idea," Menlove said. "And I think that the family preservation really dovetails nicely with what you're talking about here."

Menlove sponsored legislation earlier this year that created a supported employment pilot program for people with disabilities. Lawmakers approved $150,000 to provide an estimated 100 individuals now on the waiting list with pre-employment training, limited workplace support and job coaching.

The division is working on implementation of the program, an idea that began with a proposal to lawmakers during last year's interim session, said Lisa-Michele Church, executive director of the Utah Department of Human Services.

"We were here a year ago with our ideas, and one of them got taken up and now you can see it's working, so we hope there will be consideration for our other ideas," Church said.

At the conclusion of Wednesday's meeting, Menlove said she was prepared to begin the steps toward drafting legislation that would allow creation of the drop-in centers.

E-mail: awelling@desnews.com

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