Clearbrook clients feel state cuts

What many social service workers feared might result from the state's ongoing budget battles and subsequent budget cuts, has apparently happened at Clearbrook, an Arlington Heights agency that serves people with disabilities.

In a message posted on the Clearbrook Web site (clearbrook.org), president Carl M. La Mell stated that the agency had to turn away 85 adults with developmental disabilities this week after funding cuts eliminated the employment programs that serve them.

The inability of state leaders to reach a budget agreement forced Clearbrook to lay off 25 staff members Wednesday, wrote La Mell in an e-mail. Additionally 20 other employees had their salary reduced by 10 percent and two employees were reduced from full to part-time.

Beginning Monday, July 6, the agency will reduce its number of drivers from nine full-time drivers to one full-time and six part-time drivers, La Mell wrote. He places the total cuts at more than $1 million.

Calls to Clearbrook representatives were not immediately returned Friday.