Layoffs are nothing new these days, but as the state of Tennessee prepares to cut 717 jobs by the end of June, more than 75 percent will come from the state agencies handling developmental disabilities and mental health.

A plan released this week by Gov. Phil Bredensen’s office seeks to overcome budget deficits stemming from falling tax revenues by cutting hundreds of jobs and eliminating more than 600 vacant positions. The state’s Department of Mental Health and Division of Mental Retardation Services are slated to be hit the hardest losing as many as 254 and 298 workers, respectively.

Many of the lost jobs will come from state institutions that are seeing less use as community based living gains favor. A program to help kids with learning disabilities will also likely be affected, reports The Tennessean. To read more click here.

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