The critical services that Easterseals provides were recently threatened by federal spending reviews. The federal grants we receive to provide these services are not just funding streams; they are essential lifelines that people with disabilities, veterans, aging adults, and their families rely on.
A lifeline for food, housing, healthcare, and job training.
Every day, Easterseals' 37,000 employees provide these lifelines to make a lasting impact in the lives of 1.5 million people annually, offering care and support at every stage of life.
Though the spending freeze order has now been withdrawn, many of our programs remain in limbo. With looming cuts to Medicaid and other vital programs possibly on the horizon, the situation could become even more devastating.
None of the hardworking American families who depend on Easterseals’ support should have to go through a day like they did on Tuesday, January 28.
In Oregon, the spending freeze would have directly impacted nearly 250 veteran households — many with children. On Tuesday, those families believed they were days away from experiencing homelessness amid freezing winter temperatures.
For so many families like these across the country, Tuesday was an example of the heartache, chaos, panic, and real fear that lack of access to our programs would cause.
At Easterseals, we know we can have responsible government spending AND support hardworking American families. But Tuesday’s events clearly show that we need to prepare for any possible outcome that would put our life-changing programs and services in immediate jeopardy.
We are not in the clear yet: There are still ongoing talks about cuts to other programs that help Americans keep their heads above water.
That’s why we are counting on our supporters to prepare an emergency response if these cuts to federal funding happen.
