Trumbull State Reps Voice Support for Kennedy Center, Other Nonprofits

The Trumbull house delegation met with area nonprofits and highlighted the good work they do for state residents at a legislative breakfast on March 6.

Recent proposed budget cuts could threaten the existence of some non-profits.

“Considering private providers provide the same or often even better service than the state at a far lower cost, the need to restructure the state-private service delivery system seems obvious to me.” said Rep. Laura Devlin. “The Kennedy Center does so much for the state’s intellectually disabled population; the community cannot afford to lose their services.”

The Kennedy Center estimated that costs would be 2.5 times greater without nonprofits to provie pulbic community living arrangements for people with disabilities.

More than 65 percent of employees at nonprofits supporting people with disabilities earn $12 or less per hour while state employees are paid more for similar work.

“The Kennedy Center is a prime example of these nonprofit providers that do incredible work with limited resources,” said State Rep. Ben McGorty. “A further reduction in their resources will have real consequences and adversely impact the lives of some of the most vulnerable in our communities. It is also fiscally short-sighted as these nonprofits save the state a great deal in the long run.”

The Kennedy Center estimated that the annual cost for the Department of Developmental Services to care for one person who requires 24-hour car is about $338,730 per year while a private provider cost would be $129,114.

“The Kennedy Center is very special to me and to the people of Trumbull. The legislature has to figure out how to craft the budget so that Connecticut’s vulnerable population isn’t hurt,” said State Rep. David Rutigliano. “A new budget is months away from going into effect, and it’s going to take a lot of committee work and compromise on all sides to make sure that programs that help residents with special needs are not cut.”

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