CHD fights to keep critical programs
Date: 11/25/2008
By Lori Szepelak
Correspondent
SPRINGFIELD Center for Human Development officials have mobilized their efforts to try and undo recent state "9C" cuts by Gov. Deval Patrick that affect its Riverbend Furniture and A New Leaf Plant Shops entities.
In mid-October, Patrick announced more than $1 billion in budget cuts across the board, ranging from home care for seniors and public safety services to programs for kindergarten children. Of the $1 billion in state funds cut, Patrick exercised his executive power to make unilateral cuts known as "9C" reductions which do not require the approval of the state Legislature.
Since rumors have persisted once the budget cuts were announced, Audrey Higbee, vice president of substance abuse and mental health services, Center for Human Development (CHD), has worked tirelessly along with her staff to find ways to restore funding for two invaluable local vocational businesses.
"Riverbend Furniture is not closing and A New Leaf will keep one shop open even if the funding is not restored," Higbee said during an interview with Reminder Publications.
Since none of the cuts will take effect before Jan. 1, Higbee has been lobbying legislators and state offices in an effort to educate them on the impact the cuts will have on these local programs.
Higbee makes her case by noting that eliminating structured programs for individuals with mental illnesses will result in increased expenditures for crisis services, medications, hospitalizations and respite services.
If the cuts stand in 2009, Higbee said both programs would no longer be able to maintain its training, supervision and employment functions for the more than 100 Department of Mental Health (DMH) clients who currently participate.
"Riverbend Furniture will most likely continue its business by utilizing labor from other disadvantaged populations, but the numbers of workers will be very greatly reduced," she said, adding, "a New Leaf will most likely need to close the East Longmeadow shop."
Currently, Riverbend Furniture, based in Springfield, and A New Leaf Plant Shops in East Longmeadow and Holyoke, employ more than 100 DMH clients in skilled work that results in products that "engender pride and greatly increase self-esteem," according to Higbee.
A New Leaf Plant Shops involve clients in the community through weekly farmers' markets, as well as filling and delivering flower arrangements for weddings, banquets and businesses. Riverbend Furniture produces and delivers dormitory and lounge furniture to colleges, universities, shelters and residential programs throughout the Northeast.
"Unlike all other DMH-funded programs, these social entrepreneurships support two-thirds of their costs through the sales of client-produced products," Higbee wrote in a letter to Barbara Leadholm, commissioner, state Department of Mental Health.
Higbee also stressed to Leadholm that financial savings from these programs derive not only from decreased hospitalizations, crisis assessments and respite stays, but also through clients' wages that result in more than $90,000 savings in Social Security entitlements as well as reductions in subsidies for housing, food stamps and fuel assistance.
"Wages earned by workers are spent locally and thereby help support local businesses and the local economy," Higbee added. "In addition, many services and materials used in production are purchased locally and within the state thereby bolstering the state's economy and supporting other businesses."
Higbee is hopeful that CHD's lobbying efforts will have a positive impact in the coming weeks. For more information on how area residents can assist CHD in its efforts to restore state funds, call the main office at 733-6624.
CHD was founded in 1972 on a philosophy of helping people in the community, by providing vital support to needy children, people with psychiatric and developmental disabilities, the elderly and the homeless, according to Higbee.
