Major Cut Proposed to "Workhorse" Fund Source

Douglas Ricker, ADS Planner

One of the major "workhorse" programs of Washington's aging network is facing a cut of 65% or more based on the Governor's budget for 2010. The Senior Citizens Services Act (SCSA) provides the backbone funding for several programs in King County, including:

• Jane, who is recovering from a third hip replacement, relies on the Volunteer Transportation Program for getting to the doctor's appointments that will make it possible for her to stay healthy and live independently. See below to learn more about Jane and other local seniors who depend on vital programs funded by the Senior Citizens Services Act. _____________________

  Senior Information & Assistance (I&A) serves as the gateway to a wide variety of resources and programs through its phone bank, provider database, and other services.
• Discretionary Case Management serves vulnerable adults who "fall through the cracks" of the regular Medicaid system.
• The PEARLS depression intervention program provides in-home counseling for mild to moderate depression.
• Volunteer Transportation Program provides rides to medical and other appointments for vulnerable and homebound elders through the use of volunteers and other cost-effective approaches.

These are just a few of the programs this flexible, adaptable source of funds supports.
 
As many as 300,000 older adults throughout the state could be affected by the proposed cuts to SCSA. King County's Senior I&A providers alone serve about 9,000 clients per year, and the proposed cut could result in a 25% drop in overall funding for these programs.

The Governor intends to present another budget proposal early this month that will include ideas for raising revenues. It is anticipated that these will "buy back" $700 million of the $1.7 billion in cuts, approximately 41%, although it is unclear if this would restore any of the cuts to SCSA and other aging network programs.

The cuts will be subject to revisions during the legislative session, which starts January 11. Several SCSA provider agencies have mobilized to lobby both the Governor and legislators on the vital nature of SCSA funding.

As the above graph shows, SCSA funding has not kept up with overall population growth for the past 10 years, not to mention the growth of the older population. As recently as two years ago there was hope of restoring funding to 1998 levels. Now the program could be reduced to a shell of what it was a year earlier.

SCSA Client Stories

Jane in Redmond (pictured above) relies on Senior Services Volunteer Transportation to get to her medical appointments. "I couldn't get to all my appointments without Volunteer Transportation—you can only ask your friends for so much," the 86-year-old says. Jane has used the service regularly, twice per month, since 2004.  After three hip replacements, she could no longer manage the long walk to the bus stop and had no other way to get around. "It affects your quality of life if you can't see the doctor," Jane remarks. "I don't know what I'll do if we lose Volunteer Transportation."

Tekle Haglos is a refugee from East Africa who was working hard to create a new life in this country until he suffered a medical emergency

Anthony Fair is taking charge of his own life with help from the PEARLS program, which he credits with helping him overcome debilitating depression.

which led to the loss of his job. He could no longer afford his rent and His case manager helped Tekle apply for an apartment at the new Bart Harvey low-income housing project, and for food stamps. They also connected him with an employment program which eventually led to a long term job with the Parks Department. Thanks to the connections provided by SCSA-funded programs, Tekle is able to support himself and live independently.  

Anthony Fair (pictured at right), a veteran who struggled with substance abuse and mental health issues, began taking charge of his life with the help of PEARLS, a home-based program for treating mild depression which is funded by SCSA. Mr. Fair embraced the problem solving techniques and self-empowerment skills he learned through PEARLS, and he now takes an active role in solving his own problems and advocating for his needs.