MONTICELLO, Ill. — The Piatt County Mental Health Center is losing the state funding it has used for decades to provide in-home respite care for families in the county.
The center learned in early June that its in-home respite grant through the Illinois Department of Human Services was ending in July, according to Tony Kirkman, Executive Director. The Center only had about 20 days to notify impacted families.
“We've held that grant for well over 25 years,” Kirkman said. "We were told we weren't going to get it this year in a two sentence email. There was no reason given."
He said respite workers trained through the center travel to local homes to provide support, usually given by a caretaker. They can provide medical care, emotional support, and fill the role of the caretaker so that person can take a break.
Families in Piatt County have relied on this program for decades, but now, the center can't pay for it. Last year, they provided more than 1,400 hours of care to families. Now, families have to cover the costs themselves.
“At this point, it's going to be not only an emotional adjustment, but it's going to have a financial cost to these families,” said Kirkman. "We're not aware of any other central Illinois provider that's been awarded any in-home respite grant."
Kirkman said IDHS provides a list of grant winners. All of the recipients were near Chicago, St. Louis, or in Illinois' far south areas.
The center has appealed the decision and contacted local lawmakers. They have the certifications, staff, and desire to continue the program through the center, just not the money. Kirkman says the center received $34,000 for the program last year.
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