Arc of Monroe Bracing for Cuts

We are learning more details tonight about the New York State budget deal. The 135-billion spending plan includes a minimum wage hike, tax breaks to middle class families and businesses and extends a tax on the state's wealthy.

It also includes cuts that impact the developmentally disabled. The Arc of Monroe is set to lose nearly $2 million in funding.

Kevin Chapman's been earning a little extra spending money at the Arc of Monroe's sheltered employment program for five years now. Beyond that, he's learning skills that will help him to one day integrate into the community.

"I learn how to like communicate with people instead of, ya know, getting angry or upset, things like that," said Kevin Chapman, ArcWorks Employee.

Healthcare cuts remain in the recent budget agreement, but are not as sharp as the $120 million originally proposed.

The Arc is bracing for a potential 6% cut in state funding. It'll mean fewer programs and staff.

"When you look at residential programs, and you look at the fact that we are able to on some days have a number of people, staff on, who allow people to go on outings, individual outings, that allow people to be able to do more things in the community, when you have a $1.9 million cut, you need to be able to look at necessities," said Barbara Wale, Arc of Monroe CEO.

Kevin says he will continue to fight for the place that has brought him and others like him a sense of belonging.

"I think having this place close down, would be very terrible. I mean the budgets and all that, I know what they have to do, but we need this place," said Chapman.

Until more details of the budget are released, the number of layoffs and programs to be cut remains to be seen.