A child whose mother set her on fire and 100 other foster kids in state custody will lose "all counseling services" if Illinois is allowed to cut its Children and Family Services budget by 50 percent on July 1 as planned, a Cook County Public Guardian says. Robert Harris claims the budget cuts will eliminate "all counseling services to children who are in state care due to physical or sexual abuse, neglect or dependency."
On behalf of more than 100 foster children, Harris sued the Department of Children and Family Services and Gov. Pat Quinn, whose budget calls for DCFS funding to be cut by 50 percent.
Harris asked the Cook County Court to enjoin Quinn and the DCFS from terminating counseling services for children in custody without due process and "without individual consideration of each child's needs."
Harris says the children have "all suffered extraordinary trauma in their young lives," such as "physical and sexual abuse, witness(ing) domestic violence" and neglect.
Full Article and Source:
Foster Kids Endangered by Huge Budget Cuts in Illinois
See also:
Governor, Guardian and DCF Being Sued
On behalf of more than 100 foster children, Harris sued the Department of Children and Family Services and Gov. Pat Quinn, whose budget calls for DCFS funding to be cut by 50 percent.
Harris asked the Cook County Court to enjoin Quinn and the DCFS from terminating counseling services for children in custody without due process and "without individual consideration of each child's needs."
Harris says the children have "all suffered extraordinary trauma in their young lives," such as "physical and sexual abuse, witness(ing) domestic violence" and neglect.
Full Article and Source:
Foster Kids Endangered by Huge Budget Cuts in Illinois
See also:
Governor, Guardian and DCF Being Sued
5 comments:
If the budget is cut by 50%, then why would ALL counseling services be terminated?
Doesn't add up.
I have become a cynic. The words of concern about the children ring hallow to me.
Why don't the legislooters cut their own pay?
Unfortunately, I agree with you.
The child whose mother set her on fire etc. won't lose "all counseling services". I don't believe it.
What about the church? This is an opportunity for churches across Cook County to stand up and help their community. Church involvement may bring more citizen involvement.
Churches should definitely start doing something besides looking the other way. Right now, government is the only place to get help, and this "help" isn't worth much.
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