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Funding Problems
Successive Frozen Funding Creates Need for Staff Reductions at KidsAbility
Waterloo - KidsAbility faces a significant budget deficit due to frozen government funding for two consecutive years while costs, primarily compensation and benefits, increased during the same time. Since KidsAbility has no working capital or reserves to support a deficit budget, the organization needs to balance its budget for the 2009/10 fiscal year.
A balanced budget will require reductions to staff and services for the April 1st fiscal year. To that end, KidsAbility has issued layoff notices to approximately 3.7 full time equivalent staff. In addition, KidsAbility is reducing a variety of its administrative costs.
By taking these actions, KidsAbility will be able to balance its budget for the next fiscal year. Unfortunately, these staff reductions will put further pressure on our already-lengthy wait lists for service. We regret the impact on our families and clients and we pledge to do what we can to reduce the negative impact of these events.
Background Information
KidsAbility provides a wide range of services to over 4,000 children with disabilities in Waterloo Region and Wellington County. KidsAbility serves children in the following three broad categories of disability:
Physical Disabilities such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida and muscular dystrophy
Developmental delays such as premature babies, Down syndrome, Autism, coordination disorders and other rare medical syndromes
Communication Disorders such as dysfluency, articulation and language deficits.
The services include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech-language therapy, psychology, therapeutic recreation, early childhood education, augmentative communication, seating and mobility, social work, infant hearing services, medical services, education and autism services.
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