BEAUMONT, Texas — The Shorkey Center is fighting to continue providing a safe learning environment for young people with disabilities after a recent cyber attack.
Last month, the Shorkey Center, a non-profit offering therapy for children with disabilities, faced a financial hardship.
"We provide physical, occupational and speech therapy for kids zero to 21," said Dr. Pearson. "We also have ABA which is applied behavior analysis and that is for children with autism."
When the non-profit announced it was facing a financial crisis last month, community members donated over 25,000 dollars through GoFundMe, which was a fourth of their 100,000 dollar goal.
The Shorkey Center's executive director Dr. Robin Pearson said they are grateful for the support of Southeast Texas.
"It is a trying time over these next few months while we're waiting on those developments to come to fruition but we want to thank the public for all the outpouring and support that we've had," she said.
The recent cyber attack is hindering progress and making it more difficult to receive necessary funds.
"We are still struggling right now," she said. "Change Healthcare is what Medicaid is the system they process and pay through, and it was hacked, so we're not receiving any payments for Medicaid at this point."
The cyber attack has disrupted medical payments from insurance companies and healthcare providers, leaving places like the Shorkey Center strapped for funds.
"Well we really are funded through primarily Medicaid insurance," said Dr. Pearson. "85% of our clients for therapy is through Medicaid."
The Shorkey Center is counting on support from the community to make it through the next few months.
"So this is our short term," said Dr. Pearson. "This is what we need is to continue to have that support for a little while just through these next couple of months."
They are staying afloat with funding from local non-profits including United Way.
The Shorkey Center is still offering services to families.
For more details on their upcoming fundraisers, visit their website.
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This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.