STATE BUDGET
Family support center is facing 35% slash in budget
Social workers laid off as state aid is reduced
The Joan A. Male Family Support Center could lose $1.1 million from the state under Gov. David A. Paterson’s 2009-10 budget proposal.
The center’s annual budget of $3 million would be slashed by 35 percent, officials said.
And because the cuts would be retroactive to Oct. 1, the center, at 60 Dingens St., began making layoffs Wednesday — five social workers, four of whom may be absorbed into other programs later.
Nine other social worker postions are at risk, according to Deborah A. Merrifield, the center’s executive director.
Previously known as Parents Anonymous, the center operates the only full-time Parent Helpline in Erie County.
Also, center
staffers go out into the homes of high-risk families, especially where there are children 6 and younger. Many of these families might otherwise have their children removed to foster care by Child Protective Services, officials said.
The staff addresses many parenting issues, including mental health, substance abuse and domestic violence problems.
“It’s very critical,” Merrifield said. “This is a phone number that’s out in the community that parents do know and look for help. And for it to suddenly go away or for us not to be able to go out into homes could really drastically impact the child’s whole safety net in Erie County.”
Under Paterson’s proposed budget, the following “urgent care” services offered by the center face being cut:
• Urgent Access, a short-term program of 30 to 60 days that provides immediate, intensive support with full-time availability for youth and families in crisis because of a youth’s behavioral or mental health challenges.
Youngsters served in this community-based program are at high risk of placement in residential, out-of-home care.
• Education Success Program, which debuted in September, was created to help children in sixth through ninth grades who have significant unexcused absences from school.
The center’s care coordinator develops a plan with the family to improve school attendance, academic performance and family interactions.
• Closing the Gap, a collaborative project with the United Way, Buffalo Public Schools and other human service agencies.
It provides crisis intervention, mentoring, support counseling, and peer groups on self-esteem, bullying and social skills.
