Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Lack of funds hobbles crisis center that helps neglected children

By KEVIN VALINE
kvaline@modbee.com

last updated: August 24, 2008 07:24:29 AM

A nonprofit that has helped abused and neglected children and their parents for 28 years is a casualty of the state budget impasse.

The Modesto-based Children's Crisis Center has closed three of five homes, temporarily laid off more than two-thirds of its 120 workers and sharply reduced its hours as it waits for the Legislature to pass the budget, which is nearly two months late.

And if a budget isn't passed by the end of this month, the center will close until the state has a spending plan. It would take about month for the center to reopen if closed.

"When the budget does pass, and assuming, as we expect, we are spared the budget cuts, we'll be OK," Executive Director Colleen Garcia said Friday. "My worry is about the children left unserved."

The center typically helps 170 children a day at three homes in Modesto and one each in Turlock and Oakdale. These children have been molested, beaten, left hungry, or abused and neglected in other ways by their parents or others.

Jose, who asked that his last name not be used, has been taking his toddler to one of the Modesto homes for several months. He said he gained custody of his son after reporting that the boy's mother was physically abusing him.

Jose said Child Protective Services gave him custody provided he stop smoking marijuana and go through drug rehab. Friday, Jose said he's been drug- and alcohol-free for 67 days and is looking for work. He's also noticed positive changes in his son.

"He's a lot more sociable, a lot more talkative. That's awesome. If this weren't available, I'd be screwed. That's the best I can say. This has been a godsend."

But the number of children and parents the center helps has been cut drastically while the center waits for its state funding.

Garcia said her agency receives $1.09 million of its $2.3 million budget from the state Department of Education. She said the state told the center to borrow money until a budget is passed.

The center has borrowed $200,000. The state will reimburse the borrowed amount but not the interest on the loan, which is at $1,700 and climbing, she said. The crisis center raises about $600,000 of its budget from private contributors and fund-raisers. But every dollar is tight in this economy.

"That's why we don't want to borrow more even though the state is advising us to," Garcia said. "We're sticking our necks out."

Advance on funds

The center has received a two-month advance on the money it receives from Stanislaus County's Children and Families Commission, which provides about $430,000 of the center's budget. The commission might advance the crisis center more money.

"We've never done it before," Commission Executive Director John Sims said Friday. "But we're considering it. ... When the economy is turning down as it is now those stresses multiply for parents."

A Turlock thrift store has raised $5,000 of the $20,000 needed to reopen the Turlock home for six weeks.

Police and Child Protective Services refer parents to the center after investigating reports of neglect or abuse. Garcia said the cases aren't serious enough to warrant placing the children in foster care, but the families need help.

Children typically stay five to six hours a day for two to 12 months while their parents get help for a drug problem, mental health counseling or look for work or a place to live. Garcia said about 20 percent to 25 percent of the center's families are homeless or have precarious living arrangements, such as staying in a friend's garage.

The children spend the day in a safe place and are evaluated for any help they may need, such as counseling. The center also offers parenting classes.

Bee staff writer Kevin Valine can be reached at kvaline@modbee.com or 578-2316.

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