I am currently very disappointed at our Arizona Governor Doug Ducey. He currently seems to present the attitude that it is more important to give cash to big corporation's than to fund social services in the state.
A little back round may be in order. In the last state elections the vast majority of those voting, voted to increase the minimum wage. With Arizona being a right to work state and a historically low wage state, I can personally see how this happened.
Everyone expected the Governor and the State houses to add additional money for the social services, to increase their budgets to keep wage parody. They basically said that they did not want the wages to increase so they gave a ONE TIME extra allotment of money to help with a temporary stabilization of the non profits.
What has happened in Eric's world, is that group homes have been closing. Respite services are no longer being offered. Eric currently has 9 out of 14 shifts currently not permanently staffed. With the question coming from people trying to fill shifts of asking us to accept a 30 to 40 minute shift instead of 2 to 3 hours, just to get the bare minimum done so that they don't get dinged by the state. Care for the elderly is decreasing do to lack of staff. This is a major problem in Arizona. We have lots of people that move here to retire with no family ties. When things get rough, non-profit social services have to step in to replace the lack of close by family. This also cost money. The work is never easy. The days are long for all involved especially the primary caregivers. I have first hand knowledge of this.
If you live in Arizona, please call the governor's office and ask for more funding for social services. Tell them your friends and family members are exhausted. That we need more help. We need more funding.
If you know anyone who is looking for a job or a job that pays, that just might help with medical school admission have the call UCP of Southern Arizona, Let them know that Sheri sent you or use source code 301.
It is now past 11pm and Eric is asleep. I have been up since 6 am. I am going to grab a nap while I can.
Showing posts with label UCPSA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label UCPSA. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 25, 2018
Friday, March 8, 2013
Can You Donate Your Spare Change?
Eric uses the services of United Cerebral Palsy of Southern Arizona, UCPSA for short. Since before I hurt my back oh so last century they provided rehab services for Eric. Since I have hurt my back and can no longer lift, they provide attendant care to help Eric with the things that I can no longer do for him, such as dressing, transfers and personal care. We also rely on them for respite services so John and I can have some couple time. With out the help of the wonderful people at UCPSA, Eric probably would not be living at home now.
Since we have been with them a very long time let me tell you what they have done for us recently. When Teri graduated Law School and got sworn into the California Bar, they provided round the clock care so we could both see Teri accomplish these wonderful things. We usually just do the parent thing with Teri one at a time. Eric's case Manager Lisa thought we should both be there for those 2 special occasions. Lisa moved heaven and Earth to make that happen. When Teri need help back in July and I was gone for a week they helped John get through the week.
For the the past several years the state of Arizona has cut back on the money they pay to providers such as UCPSA. Here is where the simply wonderful people at Circle K come in. On their counters they have canisters for spare change. I know we all have spare change laying around the house and in car. What I am asking you to do is gather the spare change from your car and drop it in the canister when you drive by Circle K. Go through the couch cushions and old purses. We all know that we are all guilty of this, and since you were not using the money anyway why not drop it off at Circle K. That jar of pennies, nickles and dimes that you pull out of your pocket or wallet would make a good donation too. That spare change laying around in your desk would work too. The canister is right on the counter. You can say hi and say that I told you about the canisters or you can sneak in and just drop it off.
Please don't worry that it is only a few coins. A few coins from a few hundred people really add up. With Washington at odds with one another right now we don't know if this vital service will be trimmed further. So please do you part and drop that spare change off a Circle K. There are over a million people who live in Southern Arizona, just think what we could do if we all dropped off our spare change at Circle K.
If you live outside of the Southern Arizona area and would still like to help here is the link to Support UCPSA.
Please feel free to pass this on to friends and family. If you can post this blog at work please do so, but ask first. Feel free to tweet, face book or use any social media the link to this blog too. We as a family would like to thank you in advance for all your support.
Full disclosure time. I am not employee of UCPSA or Circle K or receiving any compensation for this blog post. All money raised by Circle K will go to UCPSA. For the foreseeable future Eric will continue to receive services from UCPSA.
Since we have been with them a very long time let me tell you what they have done for us recently. When Teri graduated Law School and got sworn into the California Bar, they provided round the clock care so we could both see Teri accomplish these wonderful things. We usually just do the parent thing with Teri one at a time. Eric's case Manager Lisa thought we should both be there for those 2 special occasions. Lisa moved heaven and Earth to make that happen. When Teri need help back in July and I was gone for a week they helped John get through the week.
For the the past several years the state of Arizona has cut back on the money they pay to providers such as UCPSA. Here is where the simply wonderful people at Circle K come in. On their counters they have canisters for spare change. I know we all have spare change laying around the house and in car. What I am asking you to do is gather the spare change from your car and drop it in the canister when you drive by Circle K. Go through the couch cushions and old purses. We all know that we are all guilty of this, and since you were not using the money anyway why not drop it off at Circle K. That jar of pennies, nickles and dimes that you pull out of your pocket or wallet would make a good donation too. That spare change laying around in your desk would work too. The canister is right on the counter. You can say hi and say that I told you about the canisters or you can sneak in and just drop it off.
Please don't worry that it is only a few coins. A few coins from a few hundred people really add up. With Washington at odds with one another right now we don't know if this vital service will be trimmed further. So please do you part and drop that spare change off a Circle K. There are over a million people who live in Southern Arizona, just think what we could do if we all dropped off our spare change at Circle K.
If you live outside of the Southern Arizona area and would still like to help here is the link to Support UCPSA.
Please feel free to pass this on to friends and family. If you can post this blog at work please do so, but ask first. Feel free to tweet, face book or use any social media the link to this blog too. We as a family would like to thank you in advance for all your support.
Full disclosure time. I am not employee of UCPSA or Circle K or receiving any compensation for this blog post. All money raised by Circle K will go to UCPSA. For the foreseeable future Eric will continue to receive services from UCPSA.
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