Small programs like rape crisis centers bear heavy burden of Pa.’s budget impasse

Story by Katie Meyer of Spotlight PA

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HARRISBURG — More than two months in, the effects of Pennsylvania’s budget impasse are compounding. Many of the programs hurting most are smaller ones that tend to get little attention.

Across the commonwealth, small nonprofit programs like rape crisis centers are laying off staff and scaling back services, or preparing to do so. Wealthy counties are dipping into reserves to fund child services and programs for people with intellectual disabilities, while poorer counties are taking out lines of credit (and associated