Position:
Meeting the complex needs of Pennsylvania's children and youth
requires a rich array of programs and services. The majority
of these services and programs for children and youth at risk,
and those who have been identified as dependent or delinquent,
are publicly mandated and are offered through the private agencies.
Public funds appropriated must be adequate to support the provision
of these quality services by private agencies at financially
sustainable levels.
Funding for
Child Welfare Services:
Historically in Pennsylvania, funding for child welfare services
has been supported by federal, state and local (county) dollars.
The current primary source of federal funding remains Title
IV-E which supports placement services. TANF (Temporary Assistance
for Needy Families) dollars have been made available to support
services to prevent placement and support safe reunification
of children with families. However, current federal supports
usually restrict creativity and individualization in service
delivery because of categorical definitions. They are also
often time limited. The additional emphasis on utilizing Medicaid
dollars to address the behavioral health needs of children
complicates access to and coordination of funding. The overall
levels of funding as allocated do not address the full cost
of providing services.
Core Principles:
The protection, intervention and treatment of children at
risk or who have experienced abuse or neglect are public mandates.
The public funding
mechanisms for child welfare services must value and support
the full array of mandated services which children and families
who come into contact with the child welfare system may need.
Substantial amounts of private monies are invested by private
agencies to expand and enhance the scope of supportive services
available to children and their families. While consideration
must be given to the least restrictive and least intrusive
alternatives, service plans must also address what is most
appropriate given the individualized needs of the child and
family.
Provisions to fund
the full cost of quality services and care must be included
in all discussions related to mandated services and supports
for children, youth and their families. Private providers
must be included as partners in the planning and funding discussions
with the counties and the Commonwealth as they provide more
than 70% of the services to children and families who come
into contact with the child welfare system. The funding of
child welfare services should support selection of the most
appropriate services based on coordinated planning and individual
needs.
Payment mechanisms
must be employed to support timely and regular payments to
and by governmental entities to support program operations
and service delivery as purchased through the private agencies.
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