Nonprofits to ask lawmakers for funding

AUSTIN (KXAN) - As the 81st Texas legislative session begins Tuesday, nonprofits will begin asking lawmakers for funding. That funding is critical to organizations that help the disabled and currently have tens of thousands on waiting lists. Juliana Aguilar, 17, is one of those who are on a waiting list for state-funded help.

"When she was born, she went without oxygen for a couple of seconds, and that is what caused her the delay," said her father Fabian Aguilar.

Doctors said Juliana has mental retardation and attention deficit disorder. Thanks to her parents, she lives an active and productive life.

"She is an active participant in Special Olympics," said Aguilar. "She does basketball, track and bowling."

Yet, the one thing she does not have is help from the state at home.

"We never have time for my wife and myself, because we are always needed to be with our kids, because it is hard to leave her with someone else," said Aguilar.

The Aguilars are one of 33,000 people on a waiting list for state-funded services for the mentally and physically disabled. So far, they have been on the list for eight years and expect to be on it another two or three.

That is one reason nonprofits, such as The Arc of Texas, plan to ask lawmakers this session for help. The nonprofit helps provide at-home services for people like Juliana.

"We are trying to get an initiative to significantly lower the number of individuals on the waiting list," said Chris Rodriguez, director of Chapter Services for the Arc of Texas.

During the last legislative session, lawmakers allocated funding for 12 percent of the waiting list to receive services. This year, the nonprofit plans to issue this pitch to lawmakers.

"A lot of times, people have to turn to state institutions, and that’s costing the state over $100,000," said Rodriguez. "When an individual is provided services in the community, it's no more than $40,000."

For dads such as Fabian, he just wants to see his daughter live a happy and hopefully independent life.

"Don't forget about these kids, their programs, they need the help," said Aguilar. "They deserve a better life."

Arc's goal is to ask lawmakers for enough funding that would cut the waiting list down from eight years to two years by 2014.