The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners issued a letter today to members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Senate and the Governor that emphasizes the need for the Commonwealth to have a completed and adopted budget for fiscal year 2016-2017 by the June 30, 2016 deadline. There is much concern surrounding the potential for another State Budget Impasse and State funding is essential to delivering Human Services programs for Mental Health and Intellectual Development Disabilities, Drug & Alcohol, Children and Youth, and the Office of Aging & Community Services.
While Cumberland County was able to endure the 2015 State Budget Impasse using reserves to meet cash flow requirements in order to continue services to its most vulnerable citizens, it was not without adverse programmatic effects. During the 2015 State Budget Impasse, services were held to a bare minimum. This created unfortunate set-backs to some consumers who experienced an interruption of critical services in therapies and/or treatment that left a negative impact on their journey to rehabilitation, recovery, self-management, community integration and independence. Disruption to our most fragile citizens who are in need of vital support systems will only generate waves of personal and financial loss that compounds far into the future. Providers experienced financial burden when payments for services rendered had to be withheld due to the lack of funding.
Cumberland County Commissioners are urging the implementation of measures to ensure the continuation of funding to critical County Human Services programs should there be another State Budget Impasse. Commissioners are also calling on the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP) to provide direction to counties on this issue. CCAP can leverage available resources to support existing proposals or develop new strategies that outline priority needs for our legislators prior to the State budget deadline. Time is of the essence to develop strategies that seek to avert another impasse and interruption of critical funding for County administered Human Services programs.