KGMI News
by Tracy Ellis
BELLINGHAM, WASH – A Whatcom County agency that helps people with developmental disabilities is asking the legislatures and voters for help.
Cascade Connections and other community residential service agencies in the state want more money from the state.
Cascade’s Kristin Nguyen says they keep the developmentally disabled in the community and out of expensive institutions.
“We help people to make friends and to go out and experience their community just like anybody else, and go swimming and bowling and movies and have relationships with their family and the community as well,” says Nguyen.
She says over the past 9 years the minimum wage has gone up more than 36% while funding has risen by just over 5%
Nguyen says proposed increases in preliminary state spending plans only scratch the surface.
She wants people to call their state lawmakers and pressure them to provide more money.
Listen to Kristin Nguyen’s full conversation on Your Afternoon Show here.