20081002
SC program aimed at preventing teen pregnancy cut...WHY?
[from September 29, 2008]
Why is it that with South Carolina's adolescent pregnancy rates on the rise after ten years of decline, funding is being cut for programs designed to alleviate the problem??
On Friday, September 26, The Associated Press published a story announcing that 40 groups who are reimbursed through the Medicaid Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Services (MAPPS) will no longer have funding by the end of this year.
Essentially, the cut will affect programs that have served the thousands of at-risk girls in South Carolina, and programs like Charleston County's Communities in Schools dropout prevention program, which receives 20% of its budget via the pregnancy prevention program.
(Please note that, of the 280 students who participated in Communities in Schools last year, none became pregnant.)
I guess we can "thank" the state budget board who requested this retrogressive move...a move that will accrue an overall loss of $90 million...a decision that will leave many jobless.
How many other effective programs will be undermined by erroneous politics? Where do you stand on the matter? What do you think?
Read the full story, then come back and comment on the TellThem! Blog.
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2 comments:
I heard about this one. Unbelievable.
I just signed up for your newsletters. Does TellThem have anymore info on the budget cut?
ty for posting this!
I find it extremely negligent for our elected officials to cut the budget for programs that address an obvious need. We will end up spending more money in the long run for unemployment and for mothers who are not and cannot afford the health care cost necessary to carry a child to term--let alone, taking care of the baby’s day to day needs for the next 18 -25 years. That burden is likely going to fall in the hands of the government and ultimately taxpayers. How are they even considering cutting funding with the way our economy is now?! Fellow state employed South Carolinians will most likely lose their source of income and financial stability. We keep telling these young people that we care about them and that their vote and voice matters, yet, this budget cut completely contradicts these statements.
I propose that instead of cutting one program we take the 3% as equally a possible from all of the programs in the state. It would be better to have pay cuts than the total loss of employment by people who have dedicated their lives to helping others. While I am thinking about it, why don’t we include the politicians who voted for this tax cut and take a percentage of their pay? I demand a reevaluation of the budget and a real solution that will not endanger our youth or fellow South Carolinians. Write your legislators and make/let your voice be heard!
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