April 5, 2010
Greetings Chairman Cook, members of the State Affairs Committee;
My name is Theresa Tod; I’m testifying on behalf of the Texas Network of Youth Services, a statewide association that supports services to vulnerable children and youth in Texas. I’m testifying in opposition to HB 2637.
Let me start by making clear that I’m not opposed to the intent of this bill; what I am opposed to is that this bill changes the Family Code to take funding currently committed, by law and by intent, toward child abuse and neglect prevention. The “Children’s Trust Fund” as it is known, was established in the late 80’s or early 90’s specifically to create a dedicated fund that would be used, in perpetuity, to support child abuse prevention. As the House budget is currently laid out, these funds support several programs in the Prevention and Early Intervention Division of the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) – namely STAR, CYD (Community Youth Development) and Other At-Risk Prevention Support; some other prevention programs currently in place are eliminated entirely in this budget. I’ll focus on the STAR Program, as it receives the bulk of the funds that would be diverted by HB 2637.
The STAR Program currently serves all 254 Texas counties, though with current resources it’s a stretch to do so, especially across Texas’ extensive rural areas. There is a map in your packet, listing each of the programs providing STAR services and illustrating the service areas they cover. This is important because the program doesn’t always use the name “STAR” locally, but I think many of you will recognize these as quality organizations who are doing good work in your districts.
Each STAR program provides 24-hour crisis intervention, counseling to support and strengthen families, a shelter stay if needed, coping skills education, and parenting classes. In addition STAR currently offers public education focused on child abuse prevention. More details about the program is covered on the fact sheet in your packet; including the very low cost of providing these services, the number of youth and families served, where these youth come from, etc. Of great importance also is the information provided about the effectiveness of these services; this rigorously collected data gives us confidence that the program brings results and is doing what it is intended to do.
Unfortunately, the funding for the STAR Program has already been drastically cut in both the House and Senate budgets; by 34.8%. With the funding this bill would divert from STAR, 1/3 of the remaining funding for the program would be cut! Funding for all the prevention programs at PEI have been cut as well; some smaller programs have been eliminated entirely. So even without this change, we’re already taking a huge step backwards in terms of child abuse prevention, in spite of the fact that Texas lags well behind other states in this area.
The STAR program is unique among the prevention programs at DFPS, in that it is a safety net for youth and families who have already reached a crisis point. There is no other program or service in Texas like STAR. Given so many proposed cuts to other program budgets, STAR services may become more crucial than ever; cuts to mental health services will mean more youth and families will be in crisis; cuts to public education will mean fewer counselors and other administrators available to help students cope.
Funding for the prevention programs at DFPS sustains an invaluable social services infrastructure in your districts and our state. PEI services are provided by organizations, typically nonprofits, contracted by DFPS. They are organizations that engage volunteers and faith communities in their work. They use state dollars to leverage other funds, and tenaciously piece together budgets to provide quality services. Many are already facing serious financial struggles. Grant revenue and donations are down, and demand for services is up.
The PEI division at DFPS represents an investment in prevention that took roughly twenty years, and the leadership efforts of many here within the Legislature, to create. The programs in your districts are already devastated over the loss of services they expect to happen due to the cuts currently in the budget, and the children and families who will be denied services as a result. It would be a tremendous shame, and a costly mistake I believe, to wipe out an even greater part of that investment by passing this bill.
I urge this committee to either consider some alternative means of funding this program, such as perhaps increasing the marriage license fees; or delaying its start until our state revenues can support new programs.
Thank-you for the opportunity to testify, and I’m happy to answer questions or provide any follow-up information needed; including putting you in touch with the STAR Service Provider in your district. (I know even legislative offices at times make referrals to the program, when they get a call from a parent in distress!)
Theresa Tod, Executive Director
Texas Network of Youth Services
