Pennsylvania Waiting List Campaign

According to the most recent figures published by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (9/07), 21,128 individuals with mental retardation are on a seemingly endless waiting list to receive supports and services. The majority of these people - more than 13,000 - have been classified as either emergency or critical - an alarming number. Family members of those individuals seeking immediate services are in constant worry over what may happen to their loves ones should something happen to them. In such cases, many people are left without the care, support and services they need to survive. Those individuals have been waiting in line for three years to receive the proper funding - and the list will grow by more than 800 people as young people graduate from school to the waiting lists. This is an issue that continues to grow as the state government reduces the funding of services for people with mental retardation. Due to the lack of funding, family members are being placed in larger, state-run institutions instead of being supported in their own communities. The DPW said recently that they expect the population of the state's mental retardation centers to grow by 15% over the course of the next three years - with a cost of $150,000 to $170,000 per year, per individual. This is compared to an annual cost of $28,500 for a person with mental retardation that is supported at home. Because of this, the Pennsylvania Waiting List Campaign would like you to get involved on behalf of your loved ones or friends.

As of September, 2007:

• 21,128 People are waiting for Community MR Services & Supports in Pennsylvania
• 4,407 are on the Emergency List
• 9,346 are on the Critical List
• 7,373 are in the Planning Category

Without new funding, the Waiting List will continue to grow.

Email or call the PA WL Campaign, Toll Free Phone: 1-877-372-WAIT , to become a Campaign Captain in your area, to join the Campaign or obtain additional information.