Orange : Budget Discussion for Care of Disabled Set

About 100 parents of handicapped children are expected to ask for increased share of state funds for in-home care programs today at a meeting of the Regional Center of Orange County, a state-funded service agency that coordinates programs for the disabled.

The board’s agenda includes discussion of the following year’s budget for programs to assist parents who care for their handicapped children at home either on their own or with the help of paid personnel. Budget amounts for out-of-home care, community placement and other programs also will be discussed.

Mary K. Short, a Fountain Valley single parent of a 5 1/2-year-old severely handicapped girl, said that if programs to support in-home care received more funding, more parents of such children would be able to delay placing their children in private facilities and more whose children are in institutions would be able to care for them at home.

Of particular concern to parents who care for their children at home, Short said, is increased funding for respite services--that is, money to pay for a trained worker to care for the child so that the parent can take a break.

Maryann Goodman, community resource developer for the Regional Center of Orange County, said the nonprofit agency is funded by the state Department of Developmental Services. The 14-year-old agency received $14 million in state funding last year to serve approximately 5,500 children and adults through its programs.

The meeting, which will start at 5 p.m., is in the Central Tower building, 500 S. Main St.