Statewide budget cuts impact local programs

State budget cuts have impacted local human services programs, with probably the biggest effect being caused by cuts in child care subsidies.

"I think it's a real crisis at this point for the families and the day care centers themselves," said Jane Wyatt, social work supervisor for the Alleghany County Department of Social Services (DSS). She said 82 children are currently on the waiting list.

She said the waiting list was started in mid-June, due to uncertainties with the state budget process. The N.C. General Assembly did not pass a budget until more than three months into the 2001-02 fiscal year.

"Just a month ago, we thought we'd have to cut children off the program who were already on it," said Wyatt. "When we got the state budget, we didn't have to cut anybody off, but we're not able to put anybody else on." Bob Bamberg, director of Alleghany Partnership for Children (PFC), said of the child care subsidy system, "That's where I'm hearing most of the squabbling because of the belt-tightening....That's where people are really feeling it."

He said that last fiscal year, PFC received $47,000 above its regular appropriation — which went to DSS — which will not be available this year. Additionally, he said, "In the past, we were able to carry forward money from previous years. We can't do that now."

That $47,000 is separate from the $36,000 in cuts from PFC's regular appropriation. PFC receives some of its funds through Smart Start. Wyatt said, "In the past, Smart Start has been able to give us enough money to keep us afloat," but with cuts from Smart Start, that will not happen this year.

"Our goal is to practice sound fiscal management so we won't cut children off (who are already in child care)," she said. DSS spent $100,000 of the child care allocation in June and July. While the need for child care is greater during the summer months, DSS is overspending by about $10,000 per month versus making the allocation last all year, she noted. As children drop out of child care, DSS is not filling those spots.

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