Developmental Disabilities
In 2008, Senator Lathrop was appointed the Chair of the Developmental Disabilities Special Investigative Committee, which was given the responsibility to look more closely at the deteriorating conditions at the Beatrice State Developmental Center. It consisted of seven senators of both political parties that were appointed by the Legislature. Since that time, the Committee has done extensive work to gain a better understanding of the issues facing the facility and to provide additional oversight. The Committee has also reviewed community-based programs and the challenges facing the providers of services for individuals with a developmental disability who live in communities across Nebraska. The Committee has been re-authorized several times by the Legislature in order to continue its work.
In 2009, Senator Lathrop introduced LB 236 to begin to reduce the waiting list for individuals with a developmental disability. When the bill was introduced nearly 2000 Nebraskans were awaiting services, many for several years. A part of that bill was amended into the state budget bill by the Appropriations Committee and as a result nearly 1000 Nebraskans now receive much-needed services.
Senator Lathrop also introduced LB 901 in 2012 to continue to assist the nearly 2000 Nebraskans who still were waiting services. By working with the members of the Appropriations Committee additional funds were provided to reduce the waiting list and as of January 2013 over 150 additional Nebraskans had been removed from the waiting list and were now receiving services.
In 2013, Senator Lathrop continued his work to address the waiting list by introducing LB 375. LB 375 would direct funds to the waiting list. When it was introduced nearly 1800 Nebraskans with a developmental disability were in need of a specific service that would allow them to have a higher quality of life in their communities.
The ARC of Nebraska has honored Senator Lathrop twice for his advocacy for people with developmental disabilities.
Read more about this topic: Steve Lathrop
Famous quotes containing the word disabilities:
“The more I read and the more I talked to other parents of children with disabilities and normal children, the more I found that feelings and emotions about children are very much the same in all families. The accident of illness or disability serves only to intensify feelings and emotions, not to change them.”
—Judith Weatherly (20th century)