Sequestration Causes OLHSA to Reduce Services and Hours

The Oakland Livingston Human Services Agency (OLHSA) office in Livingston County will be closed on Fridays beginning next week, one of the first victims of the federally mandated sequestration that went into effect last week. 

OLHSA is a Community Action Agency agency that provides basic needs and services to low-income residents. Because of sequestration, it will lose five percent of its federal funding, equating to over $800,000 for the remainder of the fiscal year.

In addition to the new shortened work week, OLHSA will also be taking the following measures: 

• All of OLHSA’s non-union employees will see their work hours and pay reduced from a full-time 40-hour week to 36 hours per week.
• Three employees will be laid off. 
• Ten vacant positions will remain open.
• All OLHSA services will be available during the adjusted office hours, however the capacity for programs to provide assistance may be reduced.
• Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program hours will not be reduced.  All WIC locations will be open and available as usual. 

“The sequestration affects OLHSA’s ability to provide assistance to those who need it most,” OLHSA CEO Ronald B. Borngesser said in a press release. “Just as everyone in our nation feels the pain of these cuts, so will OLHSA and our clients.  Our hope is that a resolution is made swiftly so our loyal and dedicated employees can get back to supporting the community in every way possible.”

OLHSA provided more than 300,000 services in 2011 to help people and change their lives. 

If the federal government does not resolve these cuts and agree on a long-term budget solution, OLHSA may take further cost-reduction measures, which are yet to be determined.

For more information contact OLHSA at 248-209-2600 or visit www.olhsa.org.