Press Release from PCSAO - Public Children Services Association of Ohio
Date: June 29, 2009
ADOPTION ASSISTANCE TO BE SLASHED IN THE STATE BUDGET
Advocates urge leadership to explore other options than cuts to vital health and human services
Columbus, OH— While close to 3,000 children are waiting for adoptive homes, the budget process continues to batter Ohio’s support of children needing safe, stable, permanent homes.
In 2007, after 20 years of maintaining flat investment in adoptive children, Ohio increased the state adoption assistance subsidy from $250 to $300 per month. This is a minimal amount, and county agencies often support families at a greater monthly subsidy, using local funds, based on the child’s special needs. Governor Strickland’s budget framework proposed funding to fall to $215/month, an inadequate amount to raise any child; much less a special needs child.
Adoption assistance funds support families that have already adopted special needs children, providing them a safe, permanent family. Too many children are already celebrating their birthday waiting for a permanent family, slashing ongoing adoption support cause more children to disrupt and lose the family they now have. Over 20,000 children and their families depend upon this support. Crystal Ward Allen, Executive Director of Public Children Services remarks, “These families made the ultimate commitment to their children, opening their hearts and homes, with a permanent commitment. Should Ohio not honor the commitment it made as well?”
The cuts don’t stop there; Ohio’s funds to provide critical services to prevent adoption disruption (PASSS) are also scheduled to be eliminated. Imagine permanently losing your birth parents, then losing your adoptive family – because Ohio doesn’t care to invest in your life, despite the trauma you have already experienced.
Many physical and behavioral health services have been cut. These services are critical for children who have experienced the trauma of maltreatment, and their struggling families. In recent months, the various versions of Ohio’s Biennial Budget have eliminated the following:
- AdoptOhio Incentives used to recruit families and match waiting children with families
- $62 Million/year of funds that directly support child and adult protective services investigations, as well as in-home supportive services to families that can safely maintain their child in the home, IF they have some assistance.
- Funding for permanent Relative and Kinship Families that accept judicial custody to raise an extended family member – the Kinship Permanency Incentive program is by far the best value to support children in out of home care.
Public Children Services Association of Ohio, and other adoption advocates throughout the state, call on Ohio’s leadership to restore the proposed cuts to waiting and adopted children. Policy makers have options other than cutting vital health and human services. “We say we value children and families, but the proposed cuts to child safety, family stability and now, permanent families are unacceptable” says Crystal Ward Allen.
ABOUT US: PCSAO is a membership driven association serving Ohio's 88 County Public Children Services Agencies through the support of program excellence and sound public policy for safe children, stable families and supportive communities. We do this through member dialogue, active sharing of information, building partnerships, research, training and technical assistance, and advocacy at the state and federal level.
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