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CLEAR Temp: 79 °F Wind: NNW at 4 mph Wednesday, May 21, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend April 19, 2003 Hard times weigh on essential services By JONEL ALECCIA Mail Tribune Plans to rethink the way Jackson County spends $500,000 for vital "safety net" social services have left local providers worried about the possibility of yet more budget reductions. "Everybody’s in the same boat; we’re all looking for the same monies," said Evelyn Kinsella, director of the Food & Friends program that delivers meals to some 3,000 low- income and home-bound seniors. She fears any further cuts to her $1.2 million budget, of which $26,000 traditionally has come from Jackson County. But county officials say hard times mean hard choices, even among essential services. Advertisement This year, unlike previous years, there are no guarantees for county funding for agencies ranging from ACCESS Inc. and the Salvation Army to the Magdalene Home for pregnant teens, said Hank Collins, director of county health and human services. "Since last year, the world has changed dramatically," said Collins, referring to devastating declines in state revenue. "We need to consider what’s important to meet the most basic human needs." Consequently, when a regional team meets in June to consider distributing $500,000 in county general funds, every applicant will start from scratch. The half-million dollars is just a small slice of the proposed 2003 Health and Human Services budget. "Last year, we started with the assumption that people funded before would get at least half of their request," said Dave Kanner, deputy county administrator and a member of the funding committee. This year, there are no guarantees, Collins said. Seventeen agencies representing 26 programs received nearly $459,000 in county general funds last year. Collins expects that figure to remain the same; with administrative costs, the total paid is nearly $510,000. All of the agencies qualify for funding under the county’s "safety net" of human service programs. Those are programs that provide emergency services such as food and shelter; services for victims of abuse and neglect; alcohol and drug treatment services; physical or mental health care; and legal or public safety services. "In all my years in public service, that was probably the single hardest thing I had to do," Kanner recalled of last year’s allocations. "I don’t know how a rational person can look at these services and cut them. They’re the neediest of the needy. How do you say, ‘No?’ " Each agency, of course, is hoping it won’t hear "no." Rita Sullivan, director of OnTrack Inc., received about $52,000 in safety net funds for alcohol and drug day treatment, domestic violence counseling and youth substance abuse. She believes alcohol and drug treatment is every bit as vital as medical care, for instance. "If you provide health care to someone who’s had no alcohol and drug counseling, you’re wasting your funds," she said. Sullivan advocates an across-the-board reduction in funding, if necessary, to maintain the network of vital services. "I can’t treat homeless alcohol addicts," Sullivan said. "They won’t stay clean and sober. They need housing and they need food." Reach reporter JoNel Aleccia at 776-4465, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times