Reinstate funding for sheltered workshops

We have an urgent need for reinstating the funding that was, until recently, in the budget for sheltered workshops in our community. Linn County has a budget deficit in his area and has made significant cuts to funding for sheltered workshops. There is a significant risk that they will be cutting all vocational services to the disabled that are 100 percent funded by the county.

While there is Medicaid funding for prevocational training, there are restrictions attached to this. Individuals who make too much progress or not enough progress become ineligible for this funding. For some, the alternative to sheltered workshops is day habilitation, but in most cases actually costs the taxpayers more that sheltered workshops.

Clients in prevocational programs get a paycheck, which they then spend and pay taxes, putting money back into the community. They want to work.

Our daughter has worked for Goodwill for 14 years and loves to go to work. We want the best for her, to see her come home off the LIFTS bus with her ticket in hand, her pop that she has earned from a job well done is what you call priceless.

She is in a safe environment, no one stares at her, talks behind her back or makes fun of her because of the way she looks. Like most of the clients at the sheltered workshops. They just want a job, hope and pride for their accomplishments.

Ken, Sue and Kris Kleinmeyer

Cedar Rapids