United Way concerned about slashes in state funding

Cathy Miller works as community impact director for United Way of Madison County. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON COUNTY – United Way of Madison County is closely watching legislation in Montgomery and hopes many county and state services will remain intact.

“During this important time of year when Alabama legislators are determining issues related to funding of health and human services, United Way shares information as a means of raising awareness for our community,” community impact director Cathy Miller said.

Proposed budget cuts to the General Fund could drastically impact Alabama Partnership for Children, with Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR). “DHR will be required to eliminate Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, including a loss of benefits to 30,000 children and cancels $7.8 million in contracts DHR has with other state agencies and nonprofit organizations,” Miller said.

“15,000 children would lose their subsidized child care. Parents who rely on this program may be forced to quit their jobs or discontinue their education to care for their children,” Miller said.

Wellstone Behavioral Center (formerly Madison County Mental Health Center) estimates as much as 86 percent of state budgeting involves contracts with mental health centers and services for communities.

“If reductions occur without additional revenue, locally, $1.4 million of Wellstone’s budget alone would be gone,” Miller said. “At least 900 people won’t get care through that facility in Madison County.”

For The Arc of Madison County Budget, cuts may slash services or close homes for the disabled, executive director Susan Klingel said.

“Alabama Kidney Foundation is concerned with … maintaining $500,000 per fiscal year,” Miller said. These funds support transportation and educational services for thousands of dialysis and kidney transplant patients throughout Alabama.

Boys and Girls Clubs of North Alabama, Girls Inc. and The Care Center are concerned about losing 21st Century Grant funding.

United Way of Madison County’s office address is 701 Andrew Jackson Way in Huntsville. For more information, call 256-518-8203 or visit uwhsv.org.