Post Stop-Gap Funding, United Way Survey
Shows Reductions in Critical Human Services that Build the Health and Vitality
of Communities
Youth development, employment training and
mental health providers among hardest hit during
22-month budget impasse
(CHICAGO,
IL) April 5, 2017— A new survey conducted by United Way of
Illinois documents the impact of Illinois’ record-breaking budget impasse on
the human services sector and on people and communities across the state. Data
shows that 69% of agencies have received no or only partial payment for
services delivered in fiscal year 2017.
“We see the deep and lasting effects of this impasse every
day in our schools, in our neighborhoods and in the state’s spiraling
reputation. The lack of urgency from the state in coming together to work on a
full budget is negligent given rising violence, population decline and the loss
of jobs and talent,” said Sonja Reece, Board Chair of 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. “While
stop-gap funding provided limited and temporary relief to some service
providers, it did not repair the long-term damage imposed by the lack of a full
budget, nor is it funding current service delivery.”
Survey data showed that 46% of agencies have been forced to
reduce the number of clients served, with the highest reported declines in the
areas of youth development, mental health and job training. “Hospitals, law
enforcement, State’s Attorneys, housing and city/community staff are asking
when services will start again as they have no other resources to take care of
the quite dire situations in their communities,” said Kathy Weiman, CEO of
Alternatives in Moline.
Twenty-five percent of respondents have been forced to
completely eliminate programs due to the lack of payment from the state. The
most significant program cuts were reported in the areas of criminal justice,
job training and youth development—programs that were contracted by the state
to reduce crime and violence and build the strength of the Illinois economy. “We
know investing in our young people and in training for living wage jobs is key
not only to solving social challenges like poverty and violence by providing
opportunity, but also in growing the local economy,” said Wendy DuBoe,
President and CEO of United Way of Metropolitan Chicago. “Additionally, waiting
lists for services and a lack of psychiatric support for the mentally ill results
in more expensive interventions down the line.”
Agency respondents reported taking a number of measures to
continue delivering services contracted, but not paid for by the state,
including eliminating staff, not filling vacant positions, increasing waiting
lists and utilizing cash reserves. Survey data shows that private philanthropy cannot
plug the hole left by the state, with only 1 in 10 agencies reporting they have
replaced 25% or more of the funding owed to them by the State through
additional fundraising efforts.
“Private philanthropy can never provide enough resources to
solve for the delinquency of the state,” said Reece. “United Ways and generous
Illinoisans are doing their best on the private end of the private-public
partnership meant to maintain and build well-being in the state, but we currently
have no public partner.”
The
survey was conducted March 3-March 17, 2017, and responses were received from 463
human services agencies that represent every region in the state and every
service category including youth development, domestic violence prevention,
mental health, emergency housing, senior services and employment training.
For the full results, visit www.LIVEUNITEDchicago.org/UWIbudgetsurvey. For more
information about the survey or to schedule interviews, please contact Karyn
Ruhl at 847-431-7068 or karyn.ruhl@uw-mc.org. ns.
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ABOUT
UNITED WAY OF ILLINOIS
United
Way of Illinois is the statewide association of 52 local United Ways and the
largest non-governmental funder of health and human services in the state, focused
on long-term community change through resources in education, income, health
and basic needs. United Way advocates for sound policies affecting the
non-profit sector’s capability to serve vulnerable populations