Infusing Vision with Dr L J Harris

If paid family caregiver programs are eliminated, the consequences will be immediate—and catastrophic—for individuals with severe disabilities and the families who support them.

For many, there is no backup plan. There are no open beds in long-term care. There are no specialized providers waiting on standby. In many cases, there are not even qualified staff willing or trained to safely support individuals with severe behaviors. Families are not choosing to be the primary caregivers because it is easy—they are doing it because there is no one else.

And it’s important to understand—not all states even offer paid parent caregiver programs now. Access to this support already depends heavily on where a family lives. Eliminating it in the states that do offer it would not create equity—it would expand an already dangerous gap and leave even more families without options.

Without this support:
• Individuals with severe behaviors will face increased risk of injury to themselves and others as exhausted caregivers lose the minimal support that allows them to safely manage daily life.
• Families will be pushed to physical, emotional, and financial collapse, often forcing parents to leave the workforce entirely with no compensation or safety net.
• Hospitalizations will rise—not because hospitals are appropriate, but because they will become the only remaining option in crisis.
• Law enforcement and emergency services will be used more frequently for behavioral crises, placing individuals in systems that are not equipped to understand or support disability.
• Cases of neglect—unintentional but unavoidable—will increase as caregivers are stretched beyond human limits.
• Some individuals may ultimately face homelessness or inappropriate institutionalization in settings that cannot meet their needs, simply because there is nowhere else for them to go.

This is not theoretical. This is what happens when fragile support systems are removed without viable alternatives—and in many places, families are already living this reality.

Paid family caregiving is not a luxury. It is a cost-effective, stabilizing force that keeps individuals safe, keeps families intact, and prevents far more expensive and traumatic outcomes.

Eliminating it does not reduce need—it shifts the burden into systems that are already overwhelmed, more costly, and far less humane.

For individuals with severe and profound disabilities, this support is often the difference between stability and crisis, safety and harm, dignity and abandonment.

As you prepare for life after high school, don't overlook the valuable social capital within your immediate circle!

The Institute on Human Development and Disability (IHDD) at the University of Georgia (UGA) is currently seeking a qualified individual to fulfill the role of Clearinghouse Director. This full-time position offers a structured work schedule from Monday to Friday. The salary is competitive and will be determined based on the candidate's experience.

The successful candidate will engage in significant endeavors within the Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) - Institute on Human Development and Disability.

Key responsibilities of the role include:

- Leading initiatives aimed at reducing the incidence of individuals with mental health issues being incarcerated by employing data-driven strategies.
- Facilitating collaboration between various systems to ensure seamless integration of mental health services with the criminal justice system.
- Advocating for progressive state policies that prioritize community support and recovery, thereby ensuring individuals receive necessary assistance and avoid legal troubles.

This position presents a unique opportunity to effect meaningful change and contribute to the betterment of Georgia's communities.

For further information, please contact the Office of Finance and Human Resources at [email protected]. To submit your application, please visit the following Application Link https://careers.insidehighered.com/external-redirect-registration?JobId=3332121&LinkSource=JobDetails

FYI

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Join educators, leaders, and advocates from across the state as we come together to learn, connect, and inspire meaningful change in special education.

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