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Politics : Stockman Scott's Political Debate Porch -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: T L Comiskey who wrote (21211)	6/28/2003 4:03:43 PM
From: Karen Lawrence	Respond to of 89467

Elderly, disabled lose one resource (What are these people supposed to do? Die?) By Susan Palmer The Register-Guard Senior & Disabled Services will close its Springfield office and eliminate 30 positions - about 30 percent of the staff who ensure that elderly and disabled residents receive their state and federal benefits - because of an expected budget shortfall. About 25 people will be laid off, while others have opted to retire early, agency Director Ted Stevens said. Marie Iverson (left) and Julie Zylstra, case managers at Senior & Disabled Services in Springfield, discuss the closure. Iverson said, "We're the lucky ones. We get to keep our jobs." Photo: Kevin Clark / The Register-Guard The closure and layoffs will eliminate an anticipated $1.8 million budget gap that comes on the heals of last winter's program cuts, which cut off assistance to 1,800 people, Stevens said. The outlook for the future isn't any brighter. Although the Legislature hasn't completed its budget for the coming fiscal year, which begins Tuesday, there is no indication that new revenue will ease the ongoing financial challenges, he said. "There doesn't appear to be any hope to get funding restored to those who have lost services," he said. While the agency is serving fewer people, it's also seeing an increase in costs. Health insurance for employees, retirement benefits, utilities and office supplies all cost more than they did last year, Stevens said. The Lane Council of Governments, which oversees Senior & Disabled Services, allotted the agency nearly $10.5 million from its 2003-04 budget Thursday, Stevens said. Almost half of that money comes from the state. "It's really a placeholder budget because there are so many uncertainties," he said. Senior & Disabled Services serves 16,000 mostly low-income clients through diverse state and federal programs that include Meals on Wheels, in-home nursing care, legal services and transportation. About 10,000 of those clients are directly affected by changes in the state budget, he said. The Springfield office served Springfield residents and those living in eastern Lane County. Most will now need to contact the Eugene office. People living in communities along Highway 58 will have to go to the Cottage Grove office, he said. On Friday, the Springfield office on A Street was full of boxes waiting to be moved and a few employees packing up the last of the supplies and equipment. The move will make it harder for clients who don't get around easily and are on fixed incomes, staff members said. "It's a convenient location for many clients," said Ken Davis of the Springfield office on A Street right across from City Hall. "Many of them like to come to the smaller office. "Some will have a different case worker, and it will have a real impact on people who live in Oakridge and Dexter." WHERE TO GO FOR HELP NOW Senior and disabled residents who once got assistance at the East Lane office must now go to Eugene or Cottage Grove. Springfield residents: Senior services in Eugene at 1025 Willamette St. Suite 200. Disability services at 1015 Willamette St., call 682-4038. Pleasant Hill, Lowell, Dexter, Oakridge residents: South Lane office at 37 N. Sixth St., Cottage Grove, call 942-5577.