October 7th, 2009

Reports the Patriot-News:

The highest unemployment rate in 25 years, a global recession and legislators who can’t agree on a state budget add up to a nightmare for Pennsylvania’s human service providers.

With no payments from the state, some nonprofits are looking at layoffs, service cuts and even possible closures.

This comes when more people need help as the economy forces them out of work, into foreclosure and into lines for food.

“I’ve been here 17 years. I used to work in the Legislature. I’ve never seen anything like this,” said Tony Ross, president of United Way of Pennsylvania. “It couldn’t be at a worse time. It’s the perfect storm for social services. It’s the worst economy in 30 years, then to have this man-made Katrina. It’s not a good thing.”

The Republican-controlled state Senate passed a spending bill Tuesday, but its fate is uncertain in the state House.

Once there is a budget, some human-service agencies will recover and some won’t, Ross said. Those working with domestic violence, homelessness, mental health issues and child care have suffered the most, he said.

Many have dipped into their reserves and taken out lines of credit at banks. Some have exhausted those, he said. “It’s a double punch to the agencies because they don’t have their dollars and they don’t know what dollars they’re going to get,” Ross said.

Read more at the Patriot.