October 5, 2004

REP. RYAN NAMED "CHAMPION FOR COMMUNITY PROVIDERS"

State Representative Kevin Ryan has been named a "Champion for Community Providers" for his support of funding initiatives for the Connecticut Community Providers Association to help pay for a wide array of community based services.

The Connecticut Community Providers Association represents more than 500 private, nonprofit human services statewide.

Some of the services involved include residential, vocational and support programs for people with mental illness and mental retardation, substance abuse treatment programs, homeless shelters, employment programs, and other initiatives.

Rep. Ryan fought for the Private Provider Indexing Initiative which was included in this year’s budget that was approved in the General Assembly and signed into law.

The Private Provider Indexing Initiative is seen as a major step forward in addressing chronic underfunding of crucial services.

"I am pleased to be honored by the Community Providers Association, but more importantly I am pleased to have played a role in helping to provide future funding for private providers," Rep. Ryan said. "These are vital services that are necessary to help our fellow citizens in need and to ensure their quality of life."

Rep. Ryan is House Chair of the Labor and Public Employees Committee.