R.I. Budget Cuts Loom Over Providers

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Agencies that provide services to people with autism, cerebral palsy and other developmental disabilities say that state budget cuts affecting their programs will result in layoffs and significant pay and benefit reductions to their staff, and may not even comply with federal law, if they go into effect as planned on Oct. 1.
This month, the state notified the non-government agencies that serve developmentally disabled people that their reimbursement rates will be cut by an average of about 11 percent to comply with the state budget that took effect July 1.