Children

MANATEE- The Children’s Services Advisory Board (CSAB) presented its priority list of programs to the Board of County Commissioners for funding consideration at Tuesday’s work session in the county administrative center. Today’s meeting was a follow up to last month’s presentations on several programs which will be brought before the board for approval in December.

Six primary issue areas were discussed at Tuesday’s work session:

Infant Health/Infant Mortality
School Readiness/School Success
Family Poverty
Family Relationships
Substance Abuse
Youth Violence

The CSAB has a budget of approximately $2.5 million to fund programs to deal with these priority issues. Recent budget cuts will most likely cause further reductions in the CSAB’s ability to maintain its current services.

”Rather than advocating programs, this meeting should concentrate on how are we going to fund them“, commented Commissioner Larry Bustle. ”We need to re-prioritize and cut programs that overlap.“

After a lengthy discussion on how budget cuts are affecting CSA programs, Commissioner Ron Getman added, ”The county is expected to have $20 million less in next year’s budget and won’t be able to give you any more money. The only way to generate more revenue is to ask for an increase in the dedicated millage rate for the CSAB.“

CSAB budget items are expected to be on a BCC meeting agenda in December. The CSAB Work session packet can be accessed by clicking here.