News & Events at Sinnissippi Centers, Inc.
An Uncertain Future for Those in Need of Services and Those Who Serve Them
Only one thing is certain as the state continues to finalize as FY 2010 budget. There is great uncertainty for human services agencies and the level of funding they may receive.
The latest contributor to that uncertainty is the proposal of 50% across the board funding cuts to human services agencies in the state like Sinnissippi Centers.
“The effect of such cuts would be devastating for the clients we serve and the clients all human services agencies serve statewide,” according to Jim Sarver, President/CEO of Sinnissippi Centers. “We don’t know if these cuts will take place or if they are being used to gain support to pass the proposed tax increase that has so far failed to pass.”
“While there are no guarantees that legislators and the Governor won’t make the 50% cuts, as citizens of the state of Illinois, we cannot remain silent on this issue, we must act and let our lawmakers know that we do not support such drastic cuts that will take such a terrible human toll on thousands of people statewide who need these service the most.”
Slow Motion Bankruptcy of System of Care
Without tapping cash from a dormant state health fund and without money from some form of tax increase to stage a financial rescue, more than 3,000 adults and children in northern Illinois will not receive the mental health and substance abuse treatment they need, according to a new survey of behavioral health care providers.
The Community Behavioral Healthcare Association (CBHA) survey of the state’s top 80 mental health and drug treatment providers revealed that agencies – without an increase in state funding – will serve 16,000 fewer adults and children statewide, including 3,000 in northern Illinois.
“The Illinois mental health care and drug treatment system is in a slow motion bankruptcy because of the failure of the state to adequately fund care,” states Jim Sarver of Sinnissippi Centers.
“It is estimated that our agency will serve 878 fewer clients between now and July 2010 because of the current level of state funding. Of those 878 individuals, 585 are adults and 293 are children who will go without the necessary services; that is a steep human toll.”
Sinnissippi Centers is not alone in feeling the effects of this funding shortfall. The impact of the cuts will mean elimination or severe reductions in services to an estimated 3,000 adults and children through the five mental health centers in the Northern Illinois which include; Ben Gordon Center in DeKalb; Freeport Health Network’s Family Counseling Center in Freeport; North Central Behavioral Health Systems in the seven counties around La Salle Peru; Sinnissippi Centers, which serves Carroll, Lee, Ogle and Whiteside Counties; and Stepping Stones in Rockford.
“If you look at the history of funding behavioral healthcare services in Illinois, there is a significant disparity. Since 2002, behavioral health agencies in Illinois have experienced a 23% rise in expenses, while overall state human service funding has increased by 3-7%,” adds Sarver.
“The loss of care is an ongoing tragedy that can still be avoided if Governor Pat Quinn and lawmakers decide to use the dedicated but dormant special funds for their intended purposes and allow providers to keep the Medicaid increases they have already earned instead of using them in the general fund, or, by passing some form of a tax increase.”
If you would like to add your voice in support of adequate mental health and substance abuse treatment funding, contact the Governor’s office and your local legislators.
Governor Signs Senate Bill 1103 to Restore Cuts But Needs to Release Funds
Governor Rod Blagojevich signed Senate Bill 1103 on November 20, 2008 that would restore funds to human services agencies in the state. However, that funding has yet to be released to the state agencies it was originally intended for, and also has not ultimately reached the agencies that provide those services.
Illinois State Senator Tim Bivins Visits Sinnissippi Centers and Better Living Focus Group
Illinois State Senator Tim Bivins (45th District) paid a visit to Sinnissippi Centers and the Better Living Focus Group meeting Thursday October 9, 2008. Senator Bivins was invited by the Better Living Focus Group to speak to issues of importance to them during their regular monthly meeting.
Senator Bivins talked about the state budget and the ongoing budget impasse, particularly as it applies to human services funding. Senator Bivins said he voted to approve the so-called “sweeps” bill (Senate Bill 790) and an appropriations bill (Senate Bill 1103) that would restore cuts proposed by the governor because to vote otherwise would have meant a loss to the district. While he voted for the measures, he said he was not pleased with the overall budget process. But, as Senator Bivins said, “You have to look out for your district in knowing what to do.”
Senator Bivins said that the state of Illinois actually doesn’t have a revenue problem it has a spending problem. He cited the statistic that Illinois is the slowest state in reimbursing Medicaid providers for the care they provide, currently with a $1.8 billion backlog and a reimbursement time frame averaging 90 to 150 days or more, while at the same time the state has added programs requiring new spending.
The Better Living Focus Group is a group of clients dedicated to sponsoring and promoting overall well-being, particularly mental well-being. It is a warm supportive community where ideas are shared, concerns are listened to, and a place where members and visitors alike can come together to facilitate mental health awareness.
Senate Bill 790 Signed, But Final Outcome of Proposed Funding Cuts to Human Services Hinges on Companion Bill
Who won’t receive the help they need? That is the question many individuals and organizations in northwest Illinois, as well as the rest of the state, continue to ask in light of the proposed funding cuts to human service agencies by Governor Rod Blagojevich.
The Illinois House and Senate have both voted to restore most of the funding cuts, as an $85.5 million appropriations bill and a $221 million “sweeps” measure were both approved. Senate Bill 790 was singed by the Governor on 10/7/08. However, the final outcome is still in doubt, as the companion bill Senate Bill 1103 still must be signed by Governor Blagojevich. That bill allocates the monies “swept” from other state funds in Senate Bill 790 to restore funding cuts.
“While we don’t know what ultimately is going to happen, what we do know right now is that if the cuts are not restored Sinnissippi Centers stands to lose up to $259,674 in funding,” explains Jim Sarver, President and CEO of Sinnissippi.
“That includes cuts to our contracts with the Department of Alcohol and Substance Abuse (DASA), the Department of Mental Health (DMH), the Department of Community Health and Prevention (DCHP), and the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).”
“The repercussions of funding cuts to our programming and that of other human service agencies will have a very real and significant impact on children, adolescents, adults, and families. Up to 1,306 individuals could be affected here locally if cuts to Sinnissippi’s contracts with the state are not restored,” adds Sarver.
Individuals who are concerned about the proposed cuts to human services programs are asked to contact the Governor’s office and urge him to promptly approve Senate Bill 1103 in its present from.
Calls to the Governor's Office
Urge the Governor to promptly approve Senate Bill 1103 in its present form. His office phone numbers are:
Springfield
217-782-0244 OR
217-782-6830
Chicago
312-814-2121
Faxes to the Governor's Offices
Let the Governor know he must restore the cuts that are dismantling the community care system. His fax numbers are 217-558 -0897 (Springfield) and 312-814-5512 (Chicago).
Governor Rod Blagojevich
Office of the Governor
207 Statehouse
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-0244 OR (217) 782-6830
Email: www.illinois.gov/gov/contactthegovernor.cfm
Email: governor@state.il.us
Shedding Light on Bipolar Disorder - A Community Presentation
On October 9th, Sinnissippi Centers will present “Shedding Light on Bipolar Disorder” a community presentation at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Dixon (1013 Franklin Grove Road) at 6:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend this free presentation.
For more on the “Shedding Light on Bipolar Disorder” presentation on October 9th, call 1-800-242-7642 or visit www.sinnissippi.com.
No-Cost Confidential Mental Wellness Screenings Offered October 10
On October 10, 2008 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm, Sinnissippi Centers will host no-cost confidential mental wellness screenings at its five office locations in Dixon Mt. Carroll, Oregon, Rochelle, and Sterling.
The mental health screenings are open anyone who is concerned about their own mental wellness or that of a loved one. Those attending will have a change to take a self-test, talk with a mental health professional, or analyze the suicide risk of a friend or family member. Free information on effective treatments and mental wellness resources will also be available.
Screenings will be conducted for Depression, Bipolar Disorder, General Anxiety Disorder, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
For more information contact Sinnissippi Centers at 815-284-6611. |
