Monday, Jan. 9, 2006
Contact: Spence Jackson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Recommends Funding Increase for Children’s Care
JEFFERSON CITY–Gov. Matt Blunt today announced his budget recommendation will include a funding increase for residential care facilities to benefit some of Missouri’s most vulnerable children.
"There is a gap between what the state pays and what it costs to provide safe settings for at-risk children and permanent placement for children who cannot return home. My budget takes an important and much needed step to close that gap," Blunt said. "We must put our kids first. They are our responsibility. It is our charge to provide young victims of abuse and neglect and others who suffer from severe emotional disturbance the resources necessary to succeed."
Residential treatment programs offer long term or permanent care and treatment for minors in the states custody. Some of the largest providers to the state are Boys & Girls Town of Missouri, Edgewood Children’s Center, The Ozanam House, and Epworth. Blunt will recommend a $2.9 million general revenue increase for residential treatment programs that will draw an additional $3.6 million in federal funds.
The governor’s recommendation will fund a significant increase to reimbursement rates to help narrow the difference between what it costs to provide residential treatment services for children with serious emotional issues and the fee paid by the state. This year’s recommended funding increase would be in addition to the $2.75 million in new state and federal funding Blunt worked to secure for the centers last year and will also eliminate an existing and detrimental disparity between state agencies current reimbursement rates.
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