William Bell of Casey Family Programs on Funding Early Intervention Services to Keep Families Together
A U.S. budget deal adopted by Congress on Friday includes what advocates call a landmark compromise to provide an estimated $1.5 billion over 10 years to try to keep struggling families together, including those with babies born dependent on opioids.The provision allows assistance on mental health, substance abuse and parenting whenever any child is deemed at imminent risk of entering foster care. It also offers support for relatives who unexpectedly assume responsibility for a child when a parent cannot. The funding is part of a bipartisan budget deal passed by lawmakers which alleviates spending fights that marked President Donald Trump's first year in office, but sets the stage for a battle over immigration and exploding deficits ahead of November's congressional elections.
At a Senate committee hearing William Bell, president of Casey Family Programs, said that for every $7 spent on foster care there is only $1 spent on prevention. He said states need the ability to target their existing resources into early intervention services...