So...this blog really isn't supposed to be for me being upset...its about my future and whats going to be great in it. Today though just didn't give me a happy face. Instead I'm filled with devastation, loss of control, and sadness.
I mentioned before that the State of Ohio has decided to make cuts to mental health funding. Well last night everything that was going to be cut became officiated by good old Governor Kasich. I was called from work today to go to an emergency meeting at my daughter's school. I was hoping that the news wasn't going to be horrible.....but unfortunately it was.
I guess maybe it could have been worse, especially since a lot is still up in the air on what is going on, but here is a list of things that happened today that is affecting my daughter and every other autistic or mentally disabled child in the state of Ohio along with what is happening to Step by Step Academy.
*They officially started with a CAP of 104 hours that the state will cover. It used to be unlimited. 104 hours is granted only per year. This is basically a month of service at Zoey's school. Everything else will have to be out of pocket.
If things don't go good with this prior authorization CAP, then the school will shut down. I'm still not sure how they are even still open with everything...but basically right now we have a month left. After that, services will be covered for 100% for an hour and then only at 50% after....so then that has to be paid out of pocket from the consumers. This is for those that are on the Autism Scholarship to use. Which Zoey does have....for now. They maybe eliminating that too.
40 people were layed off today. The facilities department that included 4 employees was layed off. The whole entire research department was layed off. All the receptionists were also let go....plus an additional 12 people that were floaters for all mental health crisis buildings were let go.
Occupational therapy and speech therapy have been eliminated along with the staff that provided those services. Oh yea...and Transportation too. 2/3 of the cuts were in the clinical department at Step by Step with 1/3 administrative.
So right now I'm sitting here wondering how I can get to Colorado or somewhere else so Zoey won't be delayed or denied anymore services. I'm so sick and tired of trying to explain to people the purpose of ABA therapy and how it changes these kids. Public school systems are incapable of providing everything that an Autistic child needs. They proved that when I did let Zoey go for the two months she was there. My daughter's future was basically cut to nothing in the state of Ohio because of signature made last night. There is nothing we can do to change it.
I had to say goodbye to someone today that was one of the first people that welcomed me to that school when I was looking for something better for my child. I knew she lost her job before she did. It was just horrible. All these kids, not just mine are being affected. These family's that are now on job hunts because they lost their job because of funding. The school is on the verge of shutting down.....which is horrible. This school has changed so much for all the kids that have been attending. They are making it possible that one day the kids maybe able to be full functioning adults. The care, the medical treatment, all the the therapies that they do are now being cut to nothing. Its not fair. It truly isn't.
I will always do everything in my power to protect my kids and give them the future they deserve. Ohio has just proved that I can not do that here.
I mentioned before that the State of Ohio has decided to make cuts to mental health funding. Well last night everything that was going to be cut became officiated by good old Governor Kasich. I was called from work today to go to an emergency meeting at my daughter's school. I was hoping that the news wasn't going to be horrible.....but unfortunately it was.
I guess maybe it could have been worse, especially since a lot is still up in the air on what is going on, but here is a list of things that happened today that is affecting my daughter and every other autistic or mentally disabled child in the state of Ohio along with what is happening to Step by Step Academy.
*They officially started with a CAP of 104 hours that the state will cover. It used to be unlimited. 104 hours is granted only per year. This is basically a month of service at Zoey's school. Everything else will have to be out of pocket.
If things don't go good with this prior authorization CAP, then the school will shut down. I'm still not sure how they are even still open with everything...but basically right now we have a month left. After that, services will be covered for 100% for an hour and then only at 50% after....so then that has to be paid out of pocket from the consumers. This is for those that are on the Autism Scholarship to use. Which Zoey does have....for now. They maybe eliminating that too.
40 people were layed off today. The facilities department that included 4 employees was layed off. The whole entire research department was layed off. All the receptionists were also let go....plus an additional 12 people that were floaters for all mental health crisis buildings were let go.
Occupational therapy and speech therapy have been eliminated along with the staff that provided those services. Oh yea...and Transportation too. 2/3 of the cuts were in the clinical department at Step by Step with 1/3 administrative.
So right now I'm sitting here wondering how I can get to Colorado or somewhere else so Zoey won't be delayed or denied anymore services. I'm so sick and tired of trying to explain to people the purpose of ABA therapy and how it changes these kids. Public school systems are incapable of providing everything that an Autistic child needs. They proved that when I did let Zoey go for the two months she was there. My daughter's future was basically cut to nothing in the state of Ohio because of signature made last night. There is nothing we can do to change it.
I had to say goodbye to someone today that was one of the first people that welcomed me to that school when I was looking for something better for my child. I knew she lost her job before she did. It was just horrible. All these kids, not just mine are being affected. These family's that are now on job hunts because they lost their job because of funding. The school is on the verge of shutting down.....which is horrible. This school has changed so much for all the kids that have been attending. They are making it possible that one day the kids maybe able to be full functioning adults. The care, the medical treatment, all the the therapies that they do are now being cut to nothing. Its not fair. It truly isn't.
I will always do everything in my power to protect my kids and give them the future they deserve. Ohio has just proved that I can not do that here.
Oh I just don't even know what to say!!! How could they possibly approve cuts like this?!?! I'll miss you terribly, but I hope for zoey's sake Colorado is in your very near future. But it looks so grim for so many other autistic children here in Ohio..can I just say F*UCK YOU, KASICH!!! : (
ReplyDeleteAll the hugs and prayers I can send your way!!!