Like all organizations which depend on government funding to survive, Opportunity Enterprises has dealt with particularly challenging decreases in funding during the current economic recession. OE receives state and federal funds, which account for about 75% of its $14.5 million annual budget, through a waiver system, which allows qualified individuals with developmental disabilities to receive a certain amount of money each year to purchase services. In turn, service providers like OE receive the waiver dollars assigned to each of the individuals they serve.
The process for obtaining waiver funding, and the formulas used to determine the amount of funding a person can receive, are complicated and variable, and can be challenging to maneuver. In most cases, it takes about 10 years for a person who applies for funding to actually receive it. While waiting for funding, families and caregivers are faced with two options – either their loved one does not receive services at all, or they must pay for services on their own, which are very expensive. At OE, basic services for one person cost about $1,000 per month, and are therefore unaffordable for most families.
In addition, the formulas which are used to determine how much waiver funding each person receives change frequently, and the total amount available for use decreases when tax revenues decrease. During the current economic recession, funding earmarked for rehabilitation services like those provided by OE has diminished significantly, and in some cases, has disappeared all together.
While most OE clients have experienced decreases in funding, there is one specific group of clients who have historically received a certain type of state funding (Title XX), whose funding will disappear completely as of July 31. While three of the six will receive a different type of funding beginning in August, the other three will not, and will have no way to pay for services beyond July 31.
To help these clients remain in services, and help others in similar situations, several years ago OE established a Scholarship Fund. This fund, which consists primarily of donations from the community, has historically been used as a stop-gap measure to help clients who’ve applied for funding but are awaiting approval, or whose funding is being decreased or eliminated. Unfortunately, due to increased need in recent months, the money available in the fund is rapidly diminishing, and will be completely depleted by the end of the year.
“It is such a tragedy,” says OE Social Services Senior Director Valerie Thill. “These clients have spent much of their lives at OE, and even though their need for services hasn’t changed, their funding has. They are victims of a poor economy and circumstances beyond their control. We are committed to finding a way to keep them in services, and will be able to do so with support from the community.”
To support OE’s Scholarship Fund, contact Linda Hazen at (219) 464-9621, ext. 239 or linda.hazen@oppent.org.
About OE
Since 1967, OE has been a non-profit organization which creates sustainable life choices and opportunities for individuals with unique challenges and abilities. Today, OE serves 1,100 adults and children with disabilities in Porter County and throughout Northwest Indiana. For more information, visit www.oppent.org.