Comment on GHCAA by Long

Summer, thank you for your thoughtful question. In response to service level, we are not cutting services. We still offer all the resources that we have previously. Unfortunately, we cannot afford to maintain physical locations in every county we serve. In fact, our overall customer flow at our Gallatin office had experienced a steady decline over the past 3 years; a crucial reason why that location was 1 of 3 chosen for reduced hours/closure. On the budget question, you are correct, nothing has been passed. BUT, the budget year they are debating started October 1, 2010. We cannot operate on a "hope" and a "prayer" that the funding will come in. Starting April 1, we would have had to operate on agency earned funds, and hope that full funding would eventually come in. After my in person visit to Congressman Graves, Senator McCaskill and Senator Blunt office staff, I did not come back home with any "good feeling" that our core funding would come through (Community Services Block Grant). My suggestion is that you and other concerned citizens contact their offices directly and voice your concern.

Sincerely, Scott Long, GHCAA.