Today’s Star Tribune article by Briana Bierschbach explains how 13 Minnesota Child Advocacy Centers (CAC’s) are losing 80% of their Federal funding. If this happens they will likely disappear or become a shell of what they were in a very short time.
CAC’s keep safe and provide services to children and families who have reported abuse and provide services to help them live through and recover from child abuse, domestic violence, and the traumas that come from it.
KARA knows just how critical these services are to at-risk children. Especially children in rural MN where the County rarely has money for saving children from abuse and trauma and fewer resources for healing.
COVID lockdown kept many children in toxic homes over longer periods with no access to safety or reporting. This caused much more abuse and childhood trauma. Especially hard on rural MN’s at risk children.
The ax being wielded by current political leaders will gut or end Child Protective Services in the nation over the next few years. This will happen faster if outrage is not voiced by a concerned public. Many of us are rightfully fearful of the threats we are facing across the board for our most vulnerable citizens.
This volunteer CASA Guardian ad Litem knows what that means for the thousands of MN children reported to CPS each year. You know too if you follow this site or have read the Safe Passage Investigative Report on MN’s children murdered at the hands of their parents.
This anti family anti child cost savings is life threatening to children living in toxic homes. These threats can only be stopped or slowed down by an aware and committed public. It’s not like the CAC’s being axed today were over funded or had adequate paid staffing and resources to begin with.
The slim budgets for CACs require a hefty volunteer force to be effective (and they are effective). The community is involved. Family Greeters provide a welcoming environment for children and families waiting for interviews or therapy sessions. Community educators assist children in programs for safety, special events, on-site activities, and help with administration clerical work and office tasks. But CACs need dollars to function.
This will likely come to pass if there is no public support for saving Child Advocacy Centers. Because so few people know what CAC’s do, there is a great need for those of us that do know, to say something in support of them.
As an example of what can happen with just minimal efforts from some of us, I give you this positive story about what your visit, phone call, shared email can achieve:
A few years ago I and several KARA board members were told by a County Commissioner that “there is no constituency for the mental health services you seek for abused and neglected children”. That same person became an advocate not only for the services we asked for, but for Abused and Neglected Children throughout Minnesota. She fought for and was largely responsible for procuring significant mental health dollars from the State and oversaw the task force that brought significant and lasting changes in MN Child Protection Services. Thank you Jan Callison.
This CASA Guardian ad Litem is asking you to contact your State Rep or other government official to alert them to what this funding cut will mean to thousands of MN children in the years to come.
For more information about MN Child Protection and a breakdown of what CAC funding buys for MN’s at risk children and families read more below:
WHEN YOU Share KARA’s reporting with FRIENDS, INSTAGRAM & FACEBOOK and most of all, your State Representative (find them here) change will come a little bit faster. When enough of us become informed and speak up for abused and neglected children, we will improve their lives and our communities!
Support KARA’s work with a small monthly donation:
Funding for Child Advocacy Centers (CACs) supports a wide range of services and programs aimed at helping child abuse victims and their families. The primary areas that CAC funding covers include:
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Forensic interviews
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Victim advocacy and support
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Medical exams
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Mental health services
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Multidisciplinary team coordination
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Staff salaries and training
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Facility maintenance and equipment
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Administrative expenses
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Prevention initiatives
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Outreach and community education
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Services for victims of child pornography and human trafficking
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Support for military families
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Establishment of new CACs in underserved areas
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Enhancement of existing facilities and services
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Implementation of best practices and evidence-based interventions
Despite the critical nature of these services, many CACs face significant funding gaps. For example, in Pennsylvania, it’s estimated that only $123 of the $1,150 cost per child served is covered by direct, guaranteed funding3. This shortfall often requires CACs to seek additional support through grants, donations, and local partnerships to maintain their operations and services.
Topic Centered Child Protection Articles:
Reckless & ill-Advised Public Policy For Endangered Children
https://invisiblechildren.org/2024/12/20/thank-you-brandon-stahl-jessie-van-berkel-star-tribune/
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