Effects of The Economy on Foster Care and Childrens Services

February 19, 2009 by brwilson
Filed under: Foster Care, The Economy

While the following will discuss some specifics happening in Arizona, I have seen similar issues in California and I suspect the same in states across the country. Instead of looking at large scale waste to cut budgets, some agencies are slashing core services in an apparent attempt to outrage the public.

The Arizona Republic published an article on Wednesday Feb. 18, 2009 titled Foster families, disabled hit by budget cuts. The Department of Economic Security announced that there were budget cuts that would affect foster families and the developmentally disabled. Reimbursements will be cut by 20%. The Arizona legislature stated that, each agency was given an opportunity to decide, in general, where to slash spending. In the case of DES, officials were told to find nearly $61.7 million anywhere in the budget, plus cut employee expenses another $5.1 million.

Senate Majority Whip Pam Gorman, R-Anthem, called it "a political stunt," saying the agency was "getting rid of the things that everybody would consider last."

Sen. Ron Gould, R-Lake Havasu City, said "They're cutting the things they think will gin up support for their agency in the public rather than making the smart or the wise cut,".

DES spokeswoman Liz Barker denied that cuts were being made with an eye on publicity.

How will these budget cuts affect Arizona Children? AZFamily.com Claudia Rivero reports how the budget cuts will affect thousands of Arizona Children.

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I believe that it is necessary to tighten our belts. I believe that we need to reduce spending. I believe there are those who should not be receiving benefits and subsidies. I also believe that there is enough government waste and pork that can be cut that does not affect the children in our country. I say lets go after the fraud and other waste and not punish children for the mistakes of adults. What do you believe?