Is the community ready?

The governor announced that two residential habilitation centers in Washington state are closing in a few years due to budget cuts.

I work at Lakeland Village. I received a phone call that a developmentally disabled person needed assistance because they were wet and needed a change of clothes. This person lived in the community. I called and was transferred to voice mail. Staff from Lakeland went to help. This individual needed assistance dressing. Is the community ready for this?

What would you do if you ran into someone with these issues? Call a facility where the person resides that connects you to voice mail? Call a residential habilitation center that no longer exists?

Get ready for the developmentally disabled coming to a neighborhood near you. Will we be ready to connect and support this vulnerable population? It will be up to all of us to see that they get the help that they deserve.

I do understand that the budget is under considerable strain; however, we must weigh the consequences of the governor’s budget and the effects it has on our local community. It’s a responsibility that every one of us must accept.

Laurie Arndt

Spokane