Prince Georges’ Provider Council to Conduct Rally on Budget Matters

From The Arc of Prince George's County: Area agencies that provide services to county residents with disabilities are organizing a rally to bring attention to budget shortfalls that may cause a disruption in needed services – a demonstration they hope will be the largest the county has ever seen.

Arranged by the Prince Georges’ Provider Council, the April 11, 2017 demonstration is an attempt to draw attention to a budgetary shortfall that will likely result in staffing difficulties for non-profit agencies that provide services for the county’s intellectually and developmentally disabled (I/DD).

Last October, the county’s minimum wage increased to $10.75, a full $2 above the state minimum wage. That difference has created a $14M gap for agencies – one they would like part of the county’s 2018 $127M budget surplus to help bridge.

But this year, no county funding for the community-based agencies that provide services for I/DD has been allocated and the shortfall will force providers to furlough and even downsize staff and be unable to accept new families in need of I/DD services.

“We are simply asking our county elected leaders to represent all constituents in our county and treat individuals with disabilities with dignity. We must protect their health and safety,” said Robert Malone, executive director of The Arc of Prince George's County, one of the largest county providers for people with I/DD.

Last year, The Arc served 1250 county residents with 600 employees.

The rally will be held from 11am-1pm at 14741 Governor Oden Bowie Drive in Upper Marlboro. Rally participants are asked to bring only paper posters and signs.

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