"I'm happy about this development," Grassley said. "States use the Social Services Block Grant for people in true need. The funding helps states provide services that no one else will provide. The money keeps people independent. It keeps them out of nursing homes. It keeps them employed. These are not frivolous services. They are critical to the well-being of thousands of people."
On the Senate floor today, Senate Finance Committee Chairman William V. Roth, Jr. (R-Del.) won a promise from Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) to restore the Social Services Block Grant money, among funding for other key social services programs.
Grassley, a senior member of the Finance Committee, has taken a series of steps to urge restored funding for the Social Services Block Grant. Most recently, he held a news conference with two senators and Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala to oppose funding cuts.
Under today's agreement, funding for the Social Services Block Grant will be restored to $1.7 billion from $600 million.
The program was enacted in 1981, during the Reagan Administration, to provide states with a flexible source of social services funding, Grassley said. Today, it funds services to almost 6 million Americans, principally children, people with disabilities, and older Americans.
Grassley said more than 100,000 Iowans receive services under this block grant. Polk County, including the city of Des Moines, gets this funding to transport developmentally disabled residents to doctor visits, physical therapy, employment, and day treatment. The county provides 56,000 of these trips each year. Under a funding cut, these rides could stop. Polk County's developmentally disabled residents would be on their own for transportation.
Polk County also funds residential treatment for developmentally disabled and mentally ill residents. The treatment costs $75 a day. That helps people avoid nursing home stays. It makes sense, because no one wants to go a nursing home, and the expense is large, Grassley said. Under a funding cut, the county could eliminate residential treatment for 34 residents.
Grassley said Clay County is already having trouble providing placements for clients with mental health problems and developmental disabilities. The county has a waiting list for placements. Providers' fees have been frozen for over three years.
"I hope to spare any Iowans from more worry about this funding," Grassley said. "It's a relief to hear assurances of complete funding of social services."