Okay I don't know why its the children in the state of Indiana that are
always the losers.

First the governor decides to cut the schools money for this year
and I believe next year.

So this means bigger and I mean lots bigger classes.

And then today I get a phone call, Derrick's respite hours have been
taken completely till July 1st. And I'm guessing there will be no hours
next year either.

This after the last few years, getting a call about a month from now
stating all hours have been used for the rest of the year.

But he was now under a program that he got 120 hours period a
year. But it was taken today.

Ugh I'm so mad. Derrick really enjoyed spending time away from
us.

Now I have no way to do this. i'd personally pay the $12 dollars
a hour. But with my husband laid off, its just not possible.

Donna

This sounds really unfair.
I am sorry for the abrupt stop in services...it is awful .
I wish there was another way to get the hours back.
anyway to pool hours of others kids...ie: group outings?
bizi

It would be good if there were. But all the kids in Derrick's particular
program were taken.

Donna

It's okay to vent Donna, we're here. I don't know if this might help but call the local charities and ask if they have something like we have here in FL at your County Resources Helpline I found this on a google search for "Reduced cost respite, Indiana"

[DOC] County Resource Guide 10/10/07File Format: Microsoft Word - View as HTML
Health Care (low cost, sliding scale), Prescription Assistance. Health Dept. ... Southern Indiana Respite 945-6868, Self Help for the Hard Hearing 425-1500 ...
www.fsosi.org/documents/Dubois_resource_list.doc -

And inside it had this inside:

Dubois Resource Guide 10/10/07

Info link United Way 211 Indiana Family Helpline 800-433- 0746

Local Database 800-742-9002


Hope some of this was helpful, if not just know you have us to lean on to talk and vent to anytime....

Thanks Pam

I should have thought of the 211 helpline.

I know all about it. I even refer parents to it alot.

I'll let everyone know if I locate something.

Donna

Dear Donna,

I hear your frustration.

Mari

Good luck with it Donna, I hope they have some information that can help, here we have something called The Isaiah Foundation in FL, that offers reduced sliding scale respite. I will keep my fingers crossed for you!

Update:

I've emailed a number of Legislators in the State of Indiana.

I will continue that probably.

I also received a email this morning. I had sent to the person
that runs the community foundation for my County.

Asking if she knew of a grant or fund that our county has that
folks with disabilities could apply for. With this in mind, or
even with wanting to take classes. They technically aren't
eligible for the scholarships if they just get a certificate of
completion. And that is a lot of the reason Derrick
is staying in school after he graduates this year.

My husband says its not fair. And he might be right.
But I haven't solved this yet.

Donna

Donna, didn't you just get a new governor or was that a member of Congress? I'm wondering which one cut the budget for education? I mean the one on the way out or the way in? Just wondering.

Let us know how the help line does.

barbara

Nope no new Governor. No new congress member for another year.

But this Governor doesn't like people it seems.

Donna