While The Coalition recognizes the significance of North Carolina’s difficult budget issues and the economic condition of our state, the group believes that services and supports provided all across North Carolina to persons with developmental disabilities, addictive diseases and mental illness are critical to the well being of North Carolina’s citizens, and that the jobs needed to provide these services are part of the fabric of local communities.

The Coalition’s top priority is to maintain services to people with mental illness, addictive diseases, and developmental disabilities. The House Health and Human Services Appropriations Committee budget released last week raises concerns for the group that services critical to maintaining people in their communities will be lost.

Of particular concern is the proposed $20M cut to Community Funding which is a direct cut to actual services and supports.

Coalition Chair Tad Clodfelter said, “The Coalition recently surveyed providers who serve people with addictive diseases, mental illness and developmental disabilities to get an idea of the numbers in North Carolina. As of today 115 provider agencies reported serving 314,160 clients in 2010 and that represents 21,946 jobs. The proposed cuts will likely mean a loss of services and jobs to some of these people.”

The Coalition urges the members of the General Assembly to avoid cuts to services and to make restoring cuts to services its top priority.

The Coalition will hold its annual rally at the legislature on May 10 when hundreds of people are expected to come from around the state to meet with lawmakers and bring the message of the need for services and supports.

Form more information on The Coalition ans issues of interest to those managing disabilities, substance abuse issues or mental health challenges, visit www.the coalitionnc.org.