February 2016 -- A new survey conducted by United Way of Illinois, the statewide association of 52 local United Ways and the largest non-governmental funder of health and human services in the state, shows the deepening impact of the budget impasse on the most vulnerable citizens across Illinois and on the human service sector overall.
Results from the third state-wide survey indicate that human service agencies are reaching a tipping point in trying to deliver services and maintain operations amidst continued uncertainty due to the budget impasse. Agencies reported shuttering programs, significantly reducing the number of clients they can serve, draining cash reserves and going further into debt by utilizing lines of credit. Twenty-three percent of agencies reported they will struggle to operate at existing levels if the budget impasse continues through March.
"It is our seventh month without a budget and there is real damage being done to our neediest children and families, and to our human services infrastructure,” said Kristi Long, Chairman of United Way of Illinois, “Disabled children need critical support, adults who want and need employment need job training, and people who require mental health care and medication need those services."
Results from the third state-wide survey indicate that human service agencies are reaching a tipping point in trying to deliver services and maintain operations amidst continued uncertainty due to the budget impasse. Agencies reported shuttering programs, significantly reducing the number of clients they can serve, draining cash reserves and going further into debt by utilizing lines of credit. Twenty-three percent of agencies reported they will struggle to operate at existing levels if the budget impasse continues through March.
"It is our seventh month without a budget and there is real damage being done to our neediest children and families, and to our human services infrastructure,” said Kristi Long, Chairman of United Way of Illinois, “Disabled children need critical support, adults who want and need employment need job training, and people who require mental health care and medication need those services."
This is the third survey conducted by United Way of Illinois on the state budget stalemate. The survey was conducted January 6-January 13, 2016, and responses were received from 444 human services agencies across every county in Illinois.
Survey respondents represented a range of service categories including youth development, early childhood education, mental health, emergency housing, senior services and employment training and varied in budget size from less than $500,000 to more than $15 million.
http://www.unitedwayillinois.org/public/seven-months-into-state-budget-impasse-united-way-of-illinois-survey.php
For United Way of Illinois, visit: http://www.unitedwayillinois.org/
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