HONESDALE, PA — Lacking a state budget, Wayne County will be making substantial social services cuts in January, according to the county commissioners’ November 30 statement.

Wayne has continued programs provided through the county’s human services department despite the cutoff of state funding since July 1, even though most of these rely on state money for up to 80% of their funding.

This has been possible “through the partnership efforts of the county, some human services reserve funding, and contracted social service providers who have accepted delayed payments for their work with so many families,” according to the statement.

However as December 31, “any reserve funding… will be exhausted…. ”

Beyond that, upon the completion of a new state budget, it will take four to six weeks for new funding to reach the county, according to the statement.

Programs impacted

Impacts will be greatest in programs through children and youth services and the area agency on aging and will take effect on January 1. They include discontinuation of most disability transportation, reduced senior center operations, a waiting list for new OPTIONS home care services program applications, delays in services for children newborn to three years of age for treatment of suspected development delays, no new services to be authorized for most adults with intellectual disabilities, no mental health therapies funded through the county’s Behavioral Health Office, a waiting list for those seeking assessments and resulting delays for entries into critical drug and alcohol treatment services.

However, referrals and assessment for those elderly and/or children at imminent risk of abuse, neglect and/or abandonment will continue uninterrupted, until the imminent risk is ameliorated; and court ordered services will continue, uninterrupted.

The statement assures that consumers who will be affected will be contacted by appropriate county staff.

The commissioners said there may be late reprieves. “Should the governor and our state legislators come to a budget resolution in the coming weeks, the county will re-evaluate any planned service interruptions.... Wayne County remains steadfast in their efforts to balance our obligations to our citizens but maintain financial responsibility to the taxpayers.”