Social service providers gathered at the state Capitol yesterday to call for an end to cuts targeting programs for the poor, mentally ill and developmentally disabled.

A group of about 45 advocates from a slew of nonprofits taped informational sheets with their concerns and potential solutions on the doors of the governor's and lieutenant governor's offices. They also stopped by the offices of legislators, talking to some of them.

The day was planned by PHOCUSED, a consortium of nonprofit leaders who have grown increasingly concerned with how state cutbacks to social services are affecting the needy. PHOCUSED executive director Alex Santiago said the moves, though intended to save money, could lead to costlier long-term effects, including more families on the streets.

"The budget, as we had feared, is being balanced on the most vulnerable," he said yesterday. Santiago added that the cuts aren't just affecting those who receive services, but their families and the employees of all of the nonprofits offering those services. Many nonprofits say the cutbacks have forced them to scale back programs and lay off staff.

Howard Garval, president and chief executive officer of Child & Family Service, said his organization has laid off 40 people this fiscal year because of state cutbacks to contracted services. He said he believes social service programs are being targeted for cuts more than other programs.

"It seems like this is the first place to cut," he said.

In fliers passed out to the administration and lawmakers, PHOCUSED offered several strategies to get more money flowing to social services, including tapping into federal stimulus dollars, increasing taxes and using money from special funds, including the rainy day fund.

These possibilities are being discussed at the Legislature.