Letter to the Editor
Funding for Waivered Services
~ Let’s mend
our broken promises
It was heartwarming to see
Michael Young featured in a recent column in the Star Tribune (March
19, 2007), just as it was to see Michael’s election as Jefferson
High School homecoming king was two years ago. Michael was a parishioner
at my former church. A lead usher and an extraordinary human being.
I have witnessed his magic with people at church, at camp and on
the ball fields. I was thrilled that the Jefferson basketball team
would affirm his contributions and personhood in their attendance
at his ballgame.
But I have some concerns. Minnesota began to open group homes in
the 1970s, and was a leader nationally in helping people with disabilities
to become full and participating members of our community. In the
1980s, Minnesota began to offer community living in smaller homes
to people with disabilities to provide an opportunity for them to
live as most Minnesotans do. In 2003 state budget cuts were made
and counties were not given enough funding to continue providing
waivered services.
Funding
for group homes was stopped except for emergency situations. The
promises made to people with disabilities, like Michael, were broken.
What is at stake? A society’s heart can be measured
by how it treats its most vulnerable. I urge legislators to secure
the future of Michael and others by giving them the opportunity to
reach the highest level of independence and be a full part of our
wonderful Minnesota community.
Bishop Craig Johnson ~ Minneapolis
Area Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
