VIP looks for ways to secure funding sources
Procuring and securing funding from the state is never an easy task for Vocational Improvement Program, commonly known as VIP, but it's especially difficult right now.
VIP, which provides personal growth skills, vocational training and job placement services to people with disabilities, is awaiting word from Sacramento, where Gov. Jerry Brown is looking to slash millions from their funding source to reduce the state's deficit.
The Department of Developmental Services, VIP's source of funding, has seen nearly $500 million in cuts to its budget in the past couple of years.
"The biggest challenge is not having the same fighting power as other departments in the state, many of whom have labor unions backing them," said Wendy Rogina, president of Rancho Cucamonga-based VIP.
Which is why the organization relies on grassroots efforts as a major component to protect its funding.
Those efforts include organizing tours with newly elected officials. Almost annually, directors for the organization give them personal tours to get them "on board" with the work that is done within the organization, she said.
"Because of term limits there is a constant turnover in the Legislature," Rogina said.
VIP is, however, leveraging its partnerships with employers in the area -- many of which are major corporations -- and asking them to write letters to local legislators to protect VIP's funding, said Beth Hammond, director of training at VIP.
Assemblyman Mike Morrell, R-Rancho Cucamonga, said he had no idea what to expect when he visited VIP for the first time last week.
During his tour, Morrell saw firsthand the work skills clients at VIP's headquarters learn.
The first-term Assembly member said he would prefer a budget proposal that limits funding to government workers and restores accountability to local municipalities.
This year, the governor proposed cutting $750 million from the Department of Developmental Services, most of which is in unspecified cuts, Rogina said.
The governor's cuts will most likely come from the 21 nonprofit regional centers that coordinate community- based services to more than 240,000 children and adults with developmental disabilities.
Supporters of DDS have been able to negotiate with the Governor's Office to restore some funding to the budget. Now that Brown's proposal of extending tax rates fell through, Rogina said she is fearful their funding could be slashed again.
"The system doesn't look long term, it's an instant fix-it," Hammond said, which makes mapping out a budget scenario next to impossible.
"It's very hard to do a bunch of fiscal scenarios because we don't know what's going to happen."
At VIP, staff not only helps the clients on site with developing job skills but will assign clients case workers to assist them when they have obtained a job in the work force.
Mariann Guerrero, director of rehabilitation at VIP, said clients may have a hard time filling out a work application properly, "but they can do the job."
"I don't think a lot of them would get this far without our program," Guerrero said.
The cuts could reduce how many individuals an agency could place in the work force.
Depending on environment and level of care, a client at VIP who can no longer work could be forced to become dependent on the state system at a cost of $350,000 a year to taxpayers, Rogina said.
While there is also a threat to VIP employees being let go as a result of cuts, Guerrero said she is more concerned about her clients.
"We can probably get jobs but it's our clients who don't have a base, they need the support," she said.
On a recent afternoon, clients were working in the headquarters for six different employers. Work included creating packaging for Home Depot, car parts for Ford and packaging products for Petco.
One employee who, after working at the headquarters for five years, graduated to a work site out in the public is Alexis Houdashelt. For the past year and half, the 29-year-old has worked for KFC in Ontario.
"I love it," she said.
And on paydays, Houdashelt said, she can go out to treat her daughters.
Dionne Henry has been working at the Vons in northern Fontana for five years as a courtesy clerk. Henry said she can bag groceries and help customers out with whatever they ask.
Morrell listened in as the women proudly shared their stories.
"They are so purpose- driven," he said. "They are productive, and I like it a lot."
About this blog
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| Liset Márquez has covered the city of Ontario for the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin since 2008. She started the OntarioNow blog in August 2008. To contact Liset, leave a comment on this blog or send an e-mail to Liset Marquez |
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