Harrison seeking foster care levy
By KAY SEDGMER, Times Leader Staff WriterCADIZ - The numbers in children entering the foster care program has led to the appearance of a replacement levy on the fall ballot to assist children in need.
Harrison County Department of Job and Family Services will place a 0.75-mill measure on the ballot, according to Director Scott Blackburn. He said the five-year measure would replace the current half-mill levy and anticipates the generation of nearly $150,000 per year.
He said the steady increase in the number of children coming into his agency has prompted the request for the increased funding.
"Lately we've been barraged with children services cases and it's overwhelming," he recently told county leaders.
He said children's services has been able to function on the current half-mill funds in the past but the added cases require additional money.
Blackburn and his staff continuously evaluate placements but face many permanent custody placements.
According to Children Services Supervisor Justin Abel, the county currently has 19 children placement.
He believes the number to be high for a county the size of Harrison, comparing it to a neighboring county, with a population twice that of Harrison.
"Carroll County currently has 11 children in custody," Abel noted. "Our numbers have been up for the past two years. We aren't seeing any indication of a decline."
And, he doesn't see any increase in funding to help cover the added expenses.
He noted that some cases are reimbursed through the Title IV-E federal program if a child is eligible based on the household income. If that is the case, the agency receives about 60-percent of placement costs per child. Yet, many of the children, are not eligible and rates for placement are based on the child's needs.
The Title IV-E funds support lodging only, while therapy and other medical care are covered through insurance. The personal care needs of the child are handled through the agency for things such as clothing.
Abel said some of the children not eligible for the federal program are a "split" between his agency and the court or cluster group. But those costs quickly reach into hundreds of thousands of dollars.
He also noted that Harrison County has about a dozen foster care homes and all but one is currently providing for at least one child.
"Several of those home are short-term homes while we seek a more permanent place for the child depending on their needs," he said. "We are happy to have a new home in the county that can provide therapeutic care for our children."
Abel also said his agency does work to reunite the children with their families when possible. However, many of the children currently in custody are going to remain with the agency because of a variety of issues.
"It could be because of their age, a lack of a suitable home or due to their needs," he said. "Many of these children aren't physically abused. Many come from homes with alcohol and drug abuse issues. They have many hurdles to cross."
No matter the issue, the department strives to do what is best for the child.
"These are our children," Abel said. "We must care for them and work to help them adjust and heal. We want them to become responsible and successful adults."
Sedgmer may be reached at ksedgmer@timesleadeornline.com
