Hart Honored for Helping Local Charity Recover $500,000

Funds will help Verland Center continue to serve disable residents

(PITTSBURGH)-Following Sen. Melissa Hart's (R-Allegheny) efforts to recover outstanding interest from the state for their organization, officials at the Verland Foundation yesterday presented Hart with an award for her support of the organization.

The Verland Foundation is dedicated to providing quality long-term residential care to severely disabled individuals, Hart said.

"On behalf of the whole Verland family, I thank Sen. Hart for her efforts," said Verland President/CEO Carol B. Mitchell. "Reclaiming these funds for Verland was the right thing to do."

"Cutting through red tape and ensuring that dedicated, high-quality organizations are not saddled with needless bureaucracy is part of an elected official's job," Hart said. "I'm pleased that we were able to reclaim these funds, which will directly support Verland's 'state-of-the-hearts' care for its residents."

Verland was forced to spend endowment principal to maintain operations during a dispute with the state Department of Public Welfare (DPW) regarding reimbursement rates, according to Hart. Administrative hearings and, ultimately, Commonwealth Court, supported Verland's position; the reimbursement reflects lost interest and assets from the necessary endowment spending that occurred during this process.

A $500,00 reimbursement for these funds was included in the 2000-2001 state budget.

"This reimbursement sends an important message that government can make amends when it makes a mistake," Hart said. "Verland's founders and employees embody that rare combination of passion and clarity of purpose, and I hope they will continue to succeed in their unique and important mission to provide dignified care to special needs individuals."

Verland contact: Carol B. Mitchell, President/CEO

(412) 741-2375, x212