Monday, October 24, 2005
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt’s Promise Kept Results in Funding Increase for Children’s Care
JEFFERSON CITY–Gov. Matt Blunt today visited residential care facilities across the state to discuss how a state funding increase proposed in his budget and passed under his leadership is benefiting some of Missouri’s most vulnerable children.
"Our children are our responsibility, and we want the best for all the children in this state," Blunt said. "Child abuse and neglect offend Missourians’ most basic values. The services these facilities offer are paramount in providing young victims of abuse and neglect the resources necessary to succeed. This increase is a first step towards ensuring those who care for Missouri’s children have our support to adequately provide safe settings for at-risk children and permanent placement for children who cannot return home."
In his State of the State address the governor called for rate increases for residential treatment programs. The programs offer long term or permanent care and treatment for minors in the custody of the Children's Division of the Department of Social Services. This year’s budget included a $2.75 million total increase in state and federal funding for residential care facilities. The increase demonstrates the importance of protecting the program’s core budget and sets the ground work for an increase next fiscal year.
Facility owners and administrators across the state applauded Blunt’s promise kept and his success in increasing the state’s payments towards children’s care.
"There is a gap between what it costs to provide residential treatment services for kids with serious emotional issues and the fee paid by the state. The governor made a commitment to help close this gap and he is following through with his commitment," said Vince Hillyer, executive director of Boys & Girls Town of Missouri, one of the largest residential care treatment providers in the state. "It demonstrates the governor’s willingness to help kids that are some of our most vulnerable citizens. It is visionary of our governor to act now so that today’s vulnerable kids will be productive citizens tomorrow."
The governor visited residential care centers in Springfield, Columbia, St. Louis and Kansas City today.
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