The 2009 legislative session yielded a $5.6 million cut to developmental disability (DD) funding resulting in a loss of services to over 2,000 people statewide. Yesterday, I spoke with five families from Johnson County who lost their funding after these cuts. As one mother put it "it is the wrong way for the state to save money".

Tom Laing, Director of InterHab, an advocacy organization representing DD agencies statewide said that if 4,100 children were on a waiting list for kindergarten, legislators would hear about it and take action immediately. My question is, why is it acceptable for 4,100 individuals in need of developmental disability funding remain waiting for services?

The state has been talking about more cuts for this next session. We can't allow that to happen. I encourage folks to write their legislators and ask to replace the funding lost last session as well as take positive action to eliminate this 15 year old waiting list.

Now is the time to take action!