Monday, October 13, 2008

 

A great way to honor others

Do you know of someone who works tirelessly as a volunteer? Do you think a particular nonprofit organization's work is especially worthy of honor? Consider nominating them for the MTV: Most Treasured Volunteer Award or the $20,000 Anisfield-Wolf Memorial Award (NPOs only). Find more info here!

Monday, October 06, 2008

 

Reclaiming the dream in NE Ohio

There’s going to be an interesting public forum--“Reclaim the Dream”—on 10/14, 7 p.m., at the University of Akron’s E.J. Thomas Hall. It’s about pressures on the middle class and is being presented by the Akron Beacon Journal, Western Reserve Public Media, WKSU and the University of Akron; Community Solutions is a sponsor. The forum is just the beginning of a multi-media project that will last for at least a year. Check out the new project Website that encourages community participation: http://www.reclaimthedream.net/.

Friday, October 03, 2008

 

Pain of recent state cuts will be felt in counties

Between the state departments of Mental Health, Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services, Job and Family Services, and MR/DD, nearly $39 million in cuts were made in the most recent round of state budget adjustments to line items that provide funds to counties to pay for services or administer programs.


The reduction of state funds to county boards and departments forces them to use their local dollars to maintain current service levels. The cuts in these line items does not guarantee shortfalls at the local level, but makes it much more difficult for counties to contend with unexpected events (like the aftermath of Hurricane Ike and power outages last month) or increases in caseloads, when such services are most needed.

While the state is a major provider of health and human service funding, it is the counties (and those they contract with) that actually provide most of the services. Now counties will face difficult choices. Some cost-saving steps being taken across the state have been reported in recent news articles and include: relying more heavily on extra funds generated from recently passed levies, cutting county workforce by offering early retirement or by leaving positions unfilled, cutting back on non-mandated programs including enhanced child visitation or job training, or using waiting lists to manage caseload.

As with most budget issues, the impact doesn’t stop there. The counties provide funds to many nonprofits and providers to actually provide services. Some organizations have already been forced to cut their budgets. Unfortunately, this is only the beginning.


Wednesday, October 01, 2008

 

New State Budget Matters examines budget problem

In the latest edition of State Budgeting Matters, Dick Sheridan clears some confusion surrounding the state's budget troubles and brings up some additional questions.

"What happened in September is that the second round of budget revisions were comprised exclusively to a reduction in anticipated tax revenues, whereas the February shortfall included assumptions about Medicaid spending and reimbursements.... Especially noteworthy is the fact that the new revenue forecasts are halfway between what OBM had projected in February as the 'zero growth' and the 'recession' forecast for 2009."

To read more, go to www.communitysolutions.com.

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