|
|
| After-Prison Rehab Faces Severe Cutbacks in Fla. |
| By The Tampa Tribune |
| Published: 09/17/2003 |
|
State funding cuts mean more Florida prisoners are likely to go from the cell to the street with no chance for a substance abuse program or job training. Agencies that offer these programs are bracing for a 23 percent cut in their budgets, reducing funding from $31 million to $24 million. The cuts, imposed by the Legislature, will hit in the next month or so. In Hillsborough County, residential and outpatient programs are estimated to be losing more than $500,000. ``It's just nuts,'' said Sara Romeo, a former state representative and the current director of finance and operations for Tampa Crossroads. ``This is such a marginal business to begin with, it really hurts us.'' The private agency on Nebraska Avenue rehabilitates criminals after they complete their prison sentences. The majority of its funding comes from government contracts. Statewide, the cuts will affect 30 live-in and about 100 nonresidential programs. On Aug. 21, the Florida Department of Corrections, which funnels the money to the agencies, sent an e-mail to service providers suggesting several cost-cutting measures, including a 16 percent decrease in residential substance-abuse programs. The department also wants agencies to stop subsidizing offenders in outpatient treatment, instead requiring them to pay for 100 percent of their services. Program administrators said there is no way to hide the hurt of such drastic cuts. ``We have 300 clients in nonresidential outpatient care that went to 100 percent self-pay,'' said Mary Lynn Ulrey, chief executive officer of the Drug Abuse Comprehensive Coordinating Office in Tampa. ``And they're mad.'' DACCO, which provides substance abuse treatment, will lose 25 beds and 15 positions, including receptionists, technicians, counselors and a director of finance. The Legislature's cuts went into effect July 1, but the programs won't feel the pinch for another month or so. Until now - two months into the fiscal year - funding has stayed at last year's levels. That means agencies will see steep financial cuts to make up the difference during the next 10 months of the budget year, which doesn't sit well with service providers. ``I'm not ready to start a budget year behind the 8- ball,'' Ulrey said. Agency administrators can cling to hope. Ivey said the Department of Corrections will ask for full restoration of funding in the next legislative session, which starts in March. |
advertise
|
privacy policy
|
add URL
|
about us
|
terms/disclaimer
|
contact us
|
join our team
|
help
Comments:
No comments have been posted for this article.
Login to let us know what you think