The Arc of Indiana Blog

The Indianapolis Star recently reported that Indiana has spent received and spent $1.1 billion of federal stimulus funds.  Of these dollars, $900 million of that funding has gone to stabilize Medicaid. 

The real world impact of that is that the stimulus funds which last through 2010, have helped the state avoid massive cuts in services to Medicaid recipients.  Without these funds, one can only speculate what would have happen.    Many are wondering, what will happen if when these funds are exhausted.

The state ended the fiscal year with $55 million in the checking account that pays the state bills.  If  revenue does not increase – sales tax, personal income taxes, corporate taxes and gambling revenue – there will be further pressures on the on the system of education and human services.

Recently one of the highest regarded new initiatives of FSSA, INTRAIN, the training of Direct Support Professionals through Ivy Tech and IU, was summarily canceled on July 31.  This project had made real impact in the lives of people and was just getting off the ground.

We understand these are extremely difficult times.  We also understand we have to make tough choices. Yet we must make very careful decisions about how we get through this together.  We; advocates, families, providers and the state have to work through this together – not unilaterally and not without considering the alternatives.

We are working hard to address these issues and hope you will use these pages to stay involved and add your voice to the call for responsible actions.