Buffalo River Services, Inc. Warns That People in Lawrence, Lewis, Wayne and Perry Counties Will See Reduced Services

Buffalo River LogoBuffalo River Services, Inc. warns that recent reductions in state payments could cause Tennessee to go backwards in the way we care for our most vulnerable citizens, adults with developmental disabilities and mental retardation. Buffalo River Services is calling on the Tennessee General Assembly to ask the Tennessee Division of Mental Retardation Services (DMRS) to reverse the 6.1% payment reductions, which took effect on January 1, 2008. As an alternative to across-the-board cuts, Garner has offered to sit-down with DMRS representatives to review each person’s services on an individual basis and look for potential cost savings.

Philip C. Garner Executive Director of Buffalo River Services says the funding cuts will force the organization to reduce services for the 200 individuals served each in year in Wayne, Lawrence, Lewis and Perry Counties. “We’re talking about your neighbors, people in your local community, who will lose services they need to live independently,” said Garner. “Our organization provides help with cooking, transportation, job training and basic daily needs. These services allow adults with developmental disabilities and mental retardation to live independently in apartments and homes, earn a paycheck, and participate in community activities.”

Added Garner, “Without adequately funded community services, these adults may become more financially dependent on the state. Quality of life for our most vulnerable citizens will suffer. “

Reduced services would likely include staff cuts. With fewer staff, there won’t be staff available to help people attend the church of their choice and they won’t receive individual help with grocery shopping skills. Home-based services will likely be cut-back, which could make it difficult or impossible for a person with developmental disabilities to live at home with parents or family members. In addition, there will be fewer social workers and less staff training.

Buffalo River Services already operates on an efficient, barebones budget. Higher costs for fuel, food and health insurance mean that community agencies were operating on leaner budgets even before the 6.1% monthly reduction. A portion of each person’s daily cost is spent on services that are beyond our control, such as therapy, nutrition, dental and medical.

Reduced state funding for community services will likely slow the current transition of people out of higher cost, taxpayer-funded institutions and into the community. The average daily cost to support one person at a state facility is $874.65, according to the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury. Community agencies support people at a fraction of the cost of a state institution. According to a letter from DMRS on December 6, 2007, the average daily cost for a community agency to serve one person in October 2007 was $233.00.

“We are puzzled and surprised by the funding cuts,” said Garner. “The Tennessee Division of Mental Retardation Services (DMRS) had already set rates and approved cost plans for each individual served by our organization. The cost plans were approved before DMRS announced funding cuts, so we thought there was a clear understanding of the cost of the services we are expected to provide.”

Added Garner, “We do not exceed the amount of state authorized services or approved costs for those services.”

About: Buffalo River Services

Established in1972, Buffalo River Services is a nonprofit organization that serves about 200 people with developmental disabilities and mental retardation in the Wayne, Lawrence, Lewis and Perry Counties Region. Services include Day services program, residential services program, job skills, independent every day living skills, and community Participation.

For more information:

Buffalo River Services, Inc.

(931)722-5401

www.buffalo-river-services.com