What
is Proposition 1 “Putting Kids First”?
Why do we need Proposition 1?
Who will oversee the funds?
How
will the funds be disbursed?
Shouldn’t
the State be responsible for these services?
What
is Proposition 1 “Putting Kids First”?
A: Prop 1 “Putting Kids First” is a countywide
initiative to develop a Community Children’s Service
Fund to help our children, youth and their families. This
fund would be created through a countywide 1/4-cent sales
tax increase (1 penny for every $4 purchase) initiative
on the November 4th, 2008 ballot. The funds generated
will be used solely for children’s service programs
in Franklin county.
The
Community Services Fund will reduce the risk of suicide,
violence, and substance abuse through the expansion and
continuation of existing programs that include:
- Temporary
shelter for abused, neglected, homeless or emotionally
disturbed youth
- Alcohol
and drug abuse treatment
- Counseling
services and psychiatric treatment
- Respite
care services
- Crisis
intervention
-
A comprehensive school-based prevention initiative
that teaches character building and life skills to
all Franklin county school children.
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Why do
we need Proposition 1?
A: Franklin county is vastly outgrowing the services now
available to the children in our area as confirmed by
a 2007 study of the needs of children and youth in this
county conducted by the Franklin County Children and Family
Community Resource Board. The percentage of dollars the
State allocates to the Department of Mental Health has
dropped in the last 14 years while our population has
grown. Social services have been vulnerable to budget
cuts and the only way to guarantee a safety net for our
community’s children is to pass Proposition 1. In
addition, a more comprehensive prevention program in our
schools would benefit approximately 19,000 school children,
helping them develop skills necessary to handle the challenges
and pressures they face.
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Who
will oversee the funds?
A: The Franklin county Board of Trustees for Children
and Families, a countywide, fifteen-member board of volunteers
is dedicated to providing the necessary services for the
children and youth of Franklin county. The Board of Trustees
is appointed by the County Commission. Members include:
Dave Arand, Chris Aumiller, Milt Branum, Dr. David Brunworth,
Missie Evert, Sunsan Finley, Cindy Fischer, Chris Jensen,
Walter Murray, Jerry Poepsel, Dawn Rost, Mauri Truesdell,
Charlet Wellenkamp, Diann Whitacre.
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How will
the funds be disbursed?
A: The funds will be managed and audited by an independent
board of citizens within the community through Franklin county Board of Trustees for Children and Families. The
board will disburse funds to various agencies according
to the needs identified within the community.
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Shouldn’t
the State be responsible for these services?
A: The percentage of dollars the State allocates to the
Department of Mental Health has dropped in the last 19
years while our population has grown. Mental health and
social services are not mandated entities and therefore,
are vulnerable to budget cuts. Passage of this measure
is the only way to guarantee a safety net for our community’s
children.
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