Donate NowHershey is CEO of Home of Guiding Hands and lives in El Cajon.
In the dynamic landscape of California, there lies a group whose voices often fade into the background — the individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. As the chief executive officer and president of Home of Guiding Hands, an organization that supports the intellectual and developmental disabilities community, as well as a parent of a young woman with an intellectual and developmental disabilities, my heart is heavy with concern for the impact chronic underfunding has on this often-overlooked community.
For decades, intellectual and developmental disabilities services have been unfairly deprived of adequate resources, presenting significant hurdles for individuals and families statewide. Despite the pressing need for robust support systems, intellectual and developmental disabilities programs have persistently faced financial shortages, resulting in limited access to crucial services, understaffing, and a shortage of resources to meet the diverse needs of the intellectual and developmental disabilities population.
This continued underfunding has led to disparities in access to health care, education, employment opportunities, and community integration for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, exacerbating their already-complex challenges and hindering their ability to lead fulfilling and independent lives. As a result, many individuals and families have been left to navigate a fragmented and under-resourced system, struggling to access the support and services they desperately need to thrive.
The impact of underfunding isn’t just felt by individuals facing intellectual and developmental disabilities here in San Diego; it reverberates across the entire intellectual and developmental disabilities population of California. It’s a haunting echo of a past we hoped to leave behind — a past stained by underfunded state institutions and neglectful policies that relegated individuals to the shadows of society.
In the annals of history, we find chilling accounts of state-run institutions where people with intellectual and developmental disabilities were warehoused, forgotten and stripped of their humanity. These were places of confinement, devoid of dignity and compassion. Individuals languished in isolation, their voices silenced by a system that deemed them unworthy of care and attention.
Yet despite our collective efforts to move forward, we find ourselves confronting similar challenges today. Essential programs designed to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities are struggling to keep their doors open, starved of the resources needed to fulfill their mission. We are witnessing a resurgence of the very neglect and marginalization we once vowed to eradicate.
It’s a tragic irony that in our quest for progress, we find ourselves repeating the sins of the past. By underfunding and cutting back services, we’re perpetuating the cycle of neglect and dehumanization. We’re sending a message that these individuals are expendable, unworthy of the same rights and opportunities afforded to others.
In doing so, we’re not just denying them access to essential services; we’re denying them their inherent dignity as human beings. It’s a sobering reminder that progress is fragile and must be fiercely protected.
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s recent budget proposal to cut $1 billion to the intellectual and developmental disabilities community in California exacerbates these challenges. Delays in service provider rate reform hinder organizations’ ability to attract and retain skilled staff, jeopardizing the quality of care. The ripple effect is profound, with unspent funds reflecting not abundance but an inability to fully utilize resources due to staffing shortages.
But amidst these challenges lies an opportunity for change. We must acknowledge that our actions today will shape the future for generations to come. And we must remember that we’re not just talking about numbers on a budget sheet; we’re talking about the lives and well-being of our fellow Californians.
The current situation is dire. More than 458,000 Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities face an uncertain future due to underfunded programs and inadequate support systems. Families are stretched thin, essential programs are closing and accessible housing is scarce. The consequences of neglecting this vulnerable population are far-reaching and devastating.
As we navigate this budget reality, we must remember Martin Luther King Jr.’s words: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” Together, we can make a difference. Reach out to your legislators, raise your voice and join us in shaping a future where every Californian, regardless of ability, has access to the support they deserve. Let’s be the guiding hands that lead the way to a more inclusive and compassionate world.