Funding cuts for family center will resonate throughout the community

To The Eagle:

St. James Family Center (SJFC) is the fifth largest employer in Wahkiakum County. As this, we contribute over $450,000 per year in payroll to Wahkiakum County. Over $400,000 of our income is received from state and federal funding sources. Many of our programs offer services to our community's most vulnerable populations, at risk children, low income families, and battered women and their children. As the Governor and legislature struggle with the challenge of balancing a budget with a $2 billion deficit, those programs are in jeopardy of elimination or decreased funding from the state. In addition, the families that we serve are being overwhelmed with the possible elimination of many of the programs that help to sustain themselves and their children.

This is an unprecedented time in the history of Washington State and the great recession is affecting families and communities state-wide. As the special session of the legislature progresses in Olympia, please keep in mind the impacts that the recommendations of the Governor will have on our community. The Governor's budget proposes cuts to all crime victims that SJFC now provides including shelter for victims of domestic violence, legal advocacy in the criminal justice system and advocacy for victims of sexual assault. Decreases in these services will increase the risk for repeated victimization, homelessness, long term issues associated with trauma and death.

SJFC is looking at the possibility of losing Wahkiakum Community Network funds through the loss of Community Mobilization against Substance Abuse and the Family Policy Council funding. This will affect families who use our After School Care Program and Family Support Services. There is also a possibility of the loss of federal funding through the Drug Free Community Grant for our Adult to Youth Mentoring Program and our Youth Adventure Program. Without matching state funds, the federal funds for these programs may be in jeopardy.

Further cuts to the Working Connections Childcare Subsidy Program will devastate those families trying to work who are unable to make a livable wage and pay for childcare. Many of our families will also lose basic health benefits, TANF and food assistance. As families continue to struggle they turn to SJFC for assistance that we may be unable to provide due to the decreases in our program funding. It is a cycle that does not end. A bright spot in this process has been the continued support for the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program which is a crucial service to children and families at this time and one we cannot afford to lose.

As important decisions are made in Olympia in the following weeks, please support the revenue alternatives put forth by the Governor as well as additional possibilities submitted during the special session. Please keep in mind the effects that cuts to crime victims programs and human services will have on our community. Rural communities such as ours have far less resources to access and need additional consideration when looking at the decisions being made about the budget and prioritization. Wahkiakum County does not have the resiliency or opportunities that urban areas have when seeking support during these difficult times.

St. James Family Center celebrated 25 years of serving the children and families of Wahkiakum County in 2010 and will continue to provide quality programs, but will need the continued support and advocacy from our community to withstand this difficult economic climate.

Please visit the Washington State Legislature website at http://www.leg.wa.gov for information on how to contact our legislators or call SJFC at 795-8612.

Beth Hansen

Executive Director

St. James Family Center