The state did not use $ 5 million allocated to youth at risk



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Ohio has yet to spend one of the $ 5 million allocated this year for services for troubled youth who are about to be fired from their homes. home or risk to enter the justice systems or foster care

Crisis Stabilization Fund "was designated to help pay for support groups, childcare expenses, transportation and other expenses, reported The Columbus Dispatch.The family county and children The first councils were charged with making local plans to administer the funds.

Stipulations attached to the federally funded program have roadblocks, according to advocates for child welfare, covered by the program.Funding is also available only for families whose annual income is equal to or less than 200% of the poverty.

The Republic Republican Sarah LaTourette of Chesterland continues to urge the authorities to adjust the program to better serve residents. Republican Senator Randy Gardner, of Bowling Green, sent Governor John Kasich a letter in April saying that it was their intention that the program would help middle-class families in addition to those living in the community. threshold of poverty

. These very hard-pressed young people are often extreme and can be devastating for families whose income is well above the poverty line, "he writes

. according to director Tracy Plouck. "I think people are interested, we just have not spent any money yet," Plouck said.

LaTourette acknowledged the challenges of the program, but insisted that it should not take a year. to get the program had told legislators that too many parents had made the terrible choice to give up custody in order to take care of their troubled children.

Mark Butler had to give up his parental rights to receive behavioral health care for his son, who is autistic. His son moved to a residential treatment center in 2016.

"It is very alarming to see that all of the hard work we have done does not seem to have changed the lives of Ohio families," he said. declared Butler. [ad_2]
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