Don't Cut Our Lifeline! WV

Please don't remove anything... too many people need help. I may not be home right now but my family is. Please don't do this.

For my son.

Support our people with disabilities. Don't take their funding.

don't cut the lifeline on this program

Please do NOT cut!!!

Try to live you life and go shopping in 12 hours.

These cuts will cost more in the long run in crisis services, people should be able to live their own lives! Anyone would hate to be forced to have a roommate to get staffing or not enough LPN to stay out of hospitalization. Budgets should be used for services not constant negotiations of the budget that is costly, redundant, stressful and harmful to individuals.

My son is a disabled 25 year old young man who has been receiving Title XIX Waiver services since he was 2 years old. He is blind, physically disabled, mentally impaired, and has some other health issues such as seizures, high blood pressure, ADHD, etc. He requires 24 hour a day care and assistance. The only services we have ever asked for was care for him while I go to work to support my family as a single mother and some limited family services to cover some of the hours I spend doing his exercises and care. Budget was cut so substantially this year we cannot even even guarantee coverage for me to go to work and for him to continue needed services and supports. We are appealing. I am appalled.

I fight for my grandson Please dont take away his services. He does matter.

My son was diagnosed with Autism. We were denied waiver in past due to "TOO HIGH FUNCTIONING". At age 22 we finally received 12 1/2 hours, we me, his mother, as caregiver. This week the few hours were cut in half due to changes in policy!

There has to be accountability from us !! Why not DHHR ? Let's make them have some accountability for the program going into the red where did the funds go ?. Let's ask DHHR why they didn't ask for more money during the last legislation session ? Why didn't they tell the Legislators that they were over budget ??? it's really easy to see there's something fishy going on so we definitely need an audit of this program !! We are taxpayers we have a right to know ! And we are citizens of the state of West Virginia and of the United States , which also means we vote !! Have you ever look to see how many voters actually have a physical disability or perhaps a mental disability that might come into great interest to quite a few people .. cutting this program could hurt the whole state of West Virginia in a lot more ways than one ! the citizens could start moving away from West Virginia which means you lose taxes and federal dollars . also if the families can't take care of the person on the program because of the budget cuts and they have to their family member in an institution . West Virginia will be paying a lot more for that then you do the program . The way they have things now in this new manual will cost West Virginia a lot more than it ever has in the long run . Think about it !! They definitely need an audit or West Virginia is going to have a lot of other Financial headache that the citizens of West Virginia don't need !! If this Audit doesn't happen all the negative that can be foreseen is definitely not good !! .

Please don't take these $$$ away from the very people who are trying to care at home for these dear disabled children and adults children. Please reconsider!!!!!

It is very important that my family have the ability to use these benefits. Please do not reduce them.

First and truly most important " I Love My Grandson with All my Heart " But he will always need help with personal care and preparing his meals . Washing his clothes , shopping , transportation, medical needs etc. Please make it possible for " My Grandson " to continue the way of life that everyone deserves . " Thank You Sincerely " From One Proud Nana ........

The powers that be are forgetting what this program is for...the individuals. They will be hurt if they do not have choices; they will be hurt after years of teaching self-advocacy to them, they are being told what they can and cannot do! Where is the money coming from to pay APS employees? The pot of Medicaid money WV gets? And there seems to be a one-hand-washing-the-other with Personal Choices. Audits!!! How can one family receive a huge budget (yes it is happening) and the family that asks for the basics, does programming and hasn't changed services in years get cut $20,000. A budget is a budget. That doesn't include any overhead for any entity that coordinates services. This saddens me; people in 24-7 ISS settings are already seeing the effect because they are losing workers and now they HAVE to do what a roommate wants (or doesn't) or they sit home and do nothing. That's normalization? Shame on this State.

My son was in and out of the psychiatric hospital for 2 years. Since being on waiver we have been able to address and modify behaviors in home before they get dangerous and have been able to keep adequate outpatient services thanks to his supplemental Medicaid.

I am a grandmother trying to take care of my grandson whom is 23 years old with a childs mind. I am the only one giving these services to him. Could use more hours.

An audit will help all parties come together with a solution on cutting wasteful spending.

PLEASE AUDIT THIS PROGRAM AND FIND A WAY TO MAINTAIN IT AS IS.

I cannot believe how heartless this country has become. Our government is here to serve our people. I have worked in the care of individuals who have physical and mental disabilities for 9 years. I am beyond thankful to have had the opportunity to meet these people I have taken care of, they have shown me so many things about life in every aspect. The people I've taken care of have had the following disabilities : boarder line personality disorder, bipolar, schizophrenia, OCD, explosive behavior disorder, cerebral palsy, autism, moderate-severe mental retardation, and Down's syndrome. There are so many walks of life and somehow most ways of living are supported and understood, but there is a small percent of people involved in understanding how different it is to take care of disabled individuals. It is a very rewarding thing to be a part of. My mom has always done foster care, taking in people with physical handicaps. Presently we have 2 teenage boys that we take care of, 14 and 15. My brother, Shane was placed into our home when he was 18 months old . He has cerebral palsy, has a very low immune system, and a gj feeding tube. Mom fell very attached and adopted him. Also, we have a foster child who has autism. He was placed in our home in an emergency situation a little over a year ago. I have grown very attached to him. When we first got him, he was terrified, would hit himself hit us, and flinch everytime someone would get near him. He requires a helmet to keep him from getting a head injury, due to his self-injurious behaviors. It has taken a lot of time, care, love, patience, and a way of understanding. I have seen every angle of being involved with individuals with mental and physical handicaps. It would be cruel to take away from these people. They cannot help that they are in the situation they are In, yet those who can work and help themselves but choose not to receive help from our state and government. It is expensive to take care of someone who has dis