GSC Web Admin
03-31-2009, 02:59 PM
By FRANK KONKEL
Sentinel-Standard writer
Published: Wednesday, March 18, 2009 11:24 PM CDT
(http://www.sentinel-standard.com/articles/2009/03/19/news/03news.eml)
IONIA - Gov. Jennifer Granholm's fall budget proposal calls for cuts in how Ionia County - and the state of Michigan - deal with helping at-risk parents.
Concerned that a decrease in funding could lead to more at-risk parents, a few concerned Ionia County citizens will join a rally on March 24 at 10 a.m. at the Capitol in Lansing for the prevention of child abuse and neglect.
Social workers Jennifer Hayden and Tara Allen will accompany Ionia County parents Jessica Rowland and Renate McCanless at the rally, which is the kickoff for Child Abuse Prevention Month - aptly titled Prevention Awareness Day - and will feature several prominent political speakers.
“I don't think it's funding we can afford to lose,” said McCanless. “It's really important to educate our parents, there's a lot of people that if they knew better, they'd do better. The only way you can do that with some parents is to spread the knowledge.”
The proposed budget cuts would eliminate approximately $6 million that is distributed by the Michigan Children's Trust Fund through the Michigan Department of Education, the Michigan Department of Human Services and the Michigan Department of Community Health.
Funding is distributed competitively by the Michigan Children's Trust Fund via requests for proposals (RFPs).
Locally, Ionia County would lose out on $170,000 in funding, which would almost surely eliminate the county's successful Begin with Babies program.
The Begin with Babies program - similar to other community's Zero to Three Secondary prevention programs - helps families with multiple stressors (as designated by the Michigan Children's Trust Fund). To qualify, a family must exhibit three possible stressors, which include low income, unemployment, mental health conditions and family crises.
According to Ionia County Intermediate School District Director of Early Childhood Programs Cheryl Granzo, the logic behind Begin with Babies is to provide education to at risk parents to prevent potential for child abuse and neglect.
“Families with multiple stressors are at a higher risk of participating in child abuse and neglect,” Granzo said. “There is intensive home visiting; families are seen one to two times per week if necessary. Parents are educated. If these budget cuts go through, they'd be taking away a program that really does help and support families in our local community.”
The Begin with Babies program supports an average of 49 families in Ionia County each year. Those families average nine stressors, three times the limit to qualify for the program.
McCanless knows how important the program can be. On Nov. 5, she gave birth to her son, Ray Anthony McCanless, at age 42 and was “struggling.”
“I went though hard times, I've made some bad decisions, but I wanted to be a better parent,” McCanless said. “In Begin with Babies, I got all the knowledge I could use and all the resources I could get. I had a relationship with them. It was a turning point for me.”
McCanless now sits as a parent representative on Great Start Collaborative and hopes to continue creating awareness about the importance of educating parents. Whether it's a rally or a board meeting, it doesn't matter for her.
“Heck yeah,” McCanless said. “I have a lot of passion. Anything for the children.”
The group also expects to meet with local politicians, including State Rep. Brian Calley, R-Portland. Calley said that the state budget is unclear because of the newly-ratified Economic Stimulus Package. There are administrative rules, he said, that haven't been written yet, which makes it difficult to determine what funds will be allocated.
Money from the stimulus package that comes to Michigan, for instance, must first make up for any cuts in education. According to Calley, the question then becomes, “What is the definition of education?”
Does it include teaching parents how to be better parents?
“I plan to advocate vigorously, particularly on the behalf of at-risk children against mandates that divert money away from early childhood programs,” Calley said. “My position is education is a top priority. It's my intent to advocate that whatever resources we have available be used to keep the education system working well or improve it.”
Calley won't be alone. Several Ionia County residents - and families - are counting on continued support that benefit at risk children.
Sentinel-Standard writer
Published: Wednesday, March 18, 2009 11:24 PM CDT
(http://www.sentinel-standard.com/articles/2009/03/19/news/03news.eml)
IONIA - Gov. Jennifer Granholm's fall budget proposal calls for cuts in how Ionia County - and the state of Michigan - deal with helping at-risk parents.
Concerned that a decrease in funding could lead to more at-risk parents, a few concerned Ionia County citizens will join a rally on March 24 at 10 a.m. at the Capitol in Lansing for the prevention of child abuse and neglect.
Social workers Jennifer Hayden and Tara Allen will accompany Ionia County parents Jessica Rowland and Renate McCanless at the rally, which is the kickoff for Child Abuse Prevention Month - aptly titled Prevention Awareness Day - and will feature several prominent political speakers.
“I don't think it's funding we can afford to lose,” said McCanless. “It's really important to educate our parents, there's a lot of people that if they knew better, they'd do better. The only way you can do that with some parents is to spread the knowledge.”
The proposed budget cuts would eliminate approximately $6 million that is distributed by the Michigan Children's Trust Fund through the Michigan Department of Education, the Michigan Department of Human Services and the Michigan Department of Community Health.
Funding is distributed competitively by the Michigan Children's Trust Fund via requests for proposals (RFPs).
Locally, Ionia County would lose out on $170,000 in funding, which would almost surely eliminate the county's successful Begin with Babies program.
The Begin with Babies program - similar to other community's Zero to Three Secondary prevention programs - helps families with multiple stressors (as designated by the Michigan Children's Trust Fund). To qualify, a family must exhibit three possible stressors, which include low income, unemployment, mental health conditions and family crises.
According to Ionia County Intermediate School District Director of Early Childhood Programs Cheryl Granzo, the logic behind Begin with Babies is to provide education to at risk parents to prevent potential for child abuse and neglect.
“Families with multiple stressors are at a higher risk of participating in child abuse and neglect,” Granzo said. “There is intensive home visiting; families are seen one to two times per week if necessary. Parents are educated. If these budget cuts go through, they'd be taking away a program that really does help and support families in our local community.”
The Begin with Babies program supports an average of 49 families in Ionia County each year. Those families average nine stressors, three times the limit to qualify for the program.
McCanless knows how important the program can be. On Nov. 5, she gave birth to her son, Ray Anthony McCanless, at age 42 and was “struggling.”
“I went though hard times, I've made some bad decisions, but I wanted to be a better parent,” McCanless said. “In Begin with Babies, I got all the knowledge I could use and all the resources I could get. I had a relationship with them. It was a turning point for me.”
McCanless now sits as a parent representative on Great Start Collaborative and hopes to continue creating awareness about the importance of educating parents. Whether it's a rally or a board meeting, it doesn't matter for her.
“Heck yeah,” McCanless said. “I have a lot of passion. Anything for the children.”
The group also expects to meet with local politicians, including State Rep. Brian Calley, R-Portland. Calley said that the state budget is unclear because of the newly-ratified Economic Stimulus Package. There are administrative rules, he said, that haven't been written yet, which makes it difficult to determine what funds will be allocated.
Money from the stimulus package that comes to Michigan, for instance, must first make up for any cuts in education. According to Calley, the question then becomes, “What is the definition of education?”
Does it include teaching parents how to be better parents?
“I plan to advocate vigorously, particularly on the behalf of at-risk children against mandates that divert money away from early childhood programs,” Calley said. “My position is education is a top priority. It's my intent to advocate that whatever resources we have available be used to keep the education system working well or improve it.”
Calley won't be alone. Several Ionia County residents - and families - are counting on continued support that benefit at risk children.