Budget hurts county's social services

As members of the Social Services Board for Frederick County, we are concerned about next year’s federal budget and the impact it would have on our community. The White House has proposed eliminating the Social Services Block Grant (SSBG), a $1.7 billion dollar pool of federal funds. This would have a devastating effect on Frederick County.

The SSBG was established in 1981 by Ronald Reagan. SSBG has long received bipartisan backing, because it gives each state control over how its funding will be spent. It offers the opportunities for innovation and flexibility, traits espoused by proponents of small government. The champions of SSBG have included leadership from both parties. In past congresses, SSBG has had bipartisan support on both the House Ways and Means committee and the Senate Finance Committee.

The SSBG can be used for up to 30 different types of social service programs. Its flexible funds enable each state to furnish the social services best suited to meet the needs of the individuals residing within it. Such services may be, but are not limited to: daycare for children or adults, protective services for children or adults, special services to persons with disabilities, adoption, case management, health-related services, transportation, foster care for children or adults, substance abuse, housing, home-delivered meals, independent/transitional living, employment services, or any other social services found necessary by the state for its population.

During fiscal-year 2014 (the most recent year for which data is available), in the state of Maryland, there were 22,793 victims of abuse or neglect, of which 15,762 cases were referred for investigation; 4,032 children in Maryland lived apart from their families in out-of-home care in 2014; and of the 2,594 children exiting out-of-home care in 2013 in Maryland, 42% were reunited with their parents or primary caregivers. Partner violence occurred at least once in the past year in the homes of 15.5 million children, and seven million children live in families in which severe partner violence occurred. The SSBG is designed to address these issues in our community.

The human implications of such a drastic cut are enormous. If the SSBG were eliminated, it would demolish a social safety net that protects our community’s most vulnerable. The state of Maryland and Frederick County would be forced to raise taxes to fill the gap.

This budget ignores both fiscal responsibility and basic human compassion. It is our hope that elected officials in Congress will reject this plan and put the needs of their people before ill-advised campaign rhetoric.

We are asking this community of concerned citizens to reach out to its elected representatives while they are home on recess. Or leave messages in the office for them to return to. Make it known that eliminating the Social Services Block Grant is not an acceptable option to the voters in Frederick, Maryland.

Thank you,

Frederick County Social Services Board

David Pearce

Phyllis York

Craig Tyler

Christine Wasner

Dwight Palmer

Tracy Bowie

Danielle Haskin

Jessica Feltz

Timothy Tran

Kerri Burson