It is often said that children are our future. This is why programs that serve children and families are so important—small investments in child health care, education and parenting support made available when children are young can pay off in a lifetime of better physical and mental health, higher educational attainment and improved job prospects.
Today, due to the financial and budget crises, numerous state programs that support children are under attack. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, states are cutting $174.1 billion this fiscal year and are planning to cut another $89 billion next year in order to close state budget deficits.
“We were really taken aback at just the sheer magnitude of the cuts,” said Linda Smith, executive director of the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies. This group released a study finding that programs for children were cut or eliminated in more than 40 states.
The programs that have been cut back or eliminated are diverse. Some provide support to children with disabilities, others prevent child abuse or focus on nutrition.
“We will end up with a kid who is killed or will kill someone else,” said Karen McLeod, president of Children and Family Services Association-N.C. North Carolina’s mental health system was cut by $155 million last year. “We are very, very worried about what is going to happen.”
Parents are desperate. A mother in North Carolina camped out with her teenage son for eight days, waiting for a bed in a state mental hospital. Salima Mabry and her son, who is autistic and mentally disabled, slept in chairs and took sponge baths in a public restroom. Due to Mabry’s persistence, a bed was found for her son. How many families are in the same situation but unable to take such extreme measures?
In Oklahoma, which has a $1.2 billion budget shortfall, the health department is closing 17 out of 33 child-guidance centers, which assess children with significant behavioral problems. “Some kids just won’t get services,” said Oklahoma State Department of Health Commissioner Terry Cline.
In addition to budget cuts simply eliminating or reducing services, in some instances agencies do not know how much money they will get, and so reduce services in anticipation of possible cuts during the budget process. A crisis nursery program in Illinois reduced its hours as the state budget process dragged on and on. Some of the crisis nursery clients use the services as a safe place to leave children during situations caused by domestic violence or medical emergency.
“People don’t plan a crisis in their lives,” said Nancy Ronquillo, president of Children’s Home + Aid, a nonprofit group that oversees two crisis nurseries in Illinois. What do families do when there is nowhere to go? They are forced to leave children in unsafe situations, or the parent foregoes needed medical care. For instance, one mother skipped her dialysis appointments due to lack of child care until she was connected with the crisis nursery program. “She was risking her own life because there was no child care,” said Robin Carlson, the nursery’s program manager.
Early intervention for physical, mental and social problems among children is the gold standard of care. Supporting healthy development pays off in the long run. Quality early interventions generate a return to society ranging from $1.80 to $17.07 for each dollar spent on the program, yielding benefits in academic achievement, behavior, employment and keeping kids out of the criminal justice system.
It should be as simple as this: “Teach them well and let them lead the way.” Yet, proven programs that make a difference in the lives of children are being cut to save a few million dollars here and there. What are the priorities of the society we live in? At the same time as programs that serve children and families are being cut, vast sums of money are being spent on the military budget, on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and on bailing out banks. The priority under capitalism is protecting the interests of the rich.
Another way is possible. In Cuba, despite limited resources, the needs of children and families are a high priority. A recent report by the charity Save the Children said that Cuba was one of the best places on earth to be a mother, in part because of the excellent services for children. How can Cuba care for its children so well, despite the 50-year U.S. blockade against the tiny island nation? The answer lies in a socialist system that puts human needs first and provides quality health care and education to all.
