Mississippi Rehab Services To Be Cut

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – Another Mississippi government agency says state budget cuts beginning July 1 are likely to cause service reductions.

Chris Howard, the Department of Rehabilitation Services director, says his agency will cut vocational rehabilitation and aid to disabled homeowners because state money is falling by $3.4 million, or 12 percent.

Vocational rehabilitation helps find jobs for people who are blind or disabled. Howard says the program served about 10,000 Mississippians last year. He says he doesn’t know how many fewer people will be served in part because the program is shared with the state Department of Human Services and community colleges.

The department also anticipates reducing services in a program that retrofits homes to allow disabled people to remain. Howard says no new clients may be accepted for four or five months.Mississippi Rehab Services