FLORIDA OPINION

Time is running out for Florida to make the right decision regarding funding of its juvenile justice responsibilities.

Time for state to step up juvenile justice funding

This week, legislators will begin finalizing next year's budget, and so far, the money set aside to handle the juvenile justice system is simply not adequate. This is especially unsettling after the state recently received word that it has an unexpected surplus of almost $1 billion — yet it can't seem to find the money to properly fund the services.

Eighty percent of Florida's juvenile justice services are delivered by private providers. The system was designed to increase competition and further accountability in delivering effective programs to help youth turn their lives around. But providers are increasingly declining to bid on juvenile justice contracts. Funding levels are so low that they aren't worth the liability, and chances for success in actually helping young people are compromised. From July 2004 to February 2006, the state issued 22 residential/detention requests for bid. Only four had more than two bidders.

The problem lies in the escalating cost of service delivery, coupled with per diem rates that essentially have remained flat since the department's creation in 1994. Inflation has increased 38.8 percent since that time, yet providers have received a maximum three percent increase. Providers still still pay hard costs that have gone up. Gas alone, which is required to transport youth to court and treatment appointments, has gone up 230 percent. To provide the basics of food, shelter, safety and security, providers have been forced to reduce or eliminate critical care services. Many of these, such as therapeutic interventions, trauma recovery, family therapy and transitional support services have been significantly diminished or have completely disappeared, reducing the chances for many youths' success.

Perhaps no place is the lack of funding more critical — and more ignored by state government — than in salaries for front-line personnel. At Eckerd Youth Alternatives (EYA), many of our counselors live, eat and sleep with the youth in their care five days a week, 24 hours a day. They are college graduates interested in helping young people, yet we ask them to work for high-school level, fast-food wages. Many of Florida's juvenile justice facilities literally are falling apart. It is ironic that legislators are grappling with how to handle a $300 million surplus generated at least in part by the purchase of hurricane supplies, but can't find enough funds to repair juvenile justice facilities damaged by hurricanes.

If the state continues down the current path, we will have no choice but to consider all of our options. We will not put our staff and the children in our care at risk, nor will we compromise our ability to help troubled youth realize positive, long-term outcomes. From a purely financial standpoint, by investing in these services now, the state will save millions of dollars in less crowded prisons 10 years from now. It is too late for incremental changes. The time is now for a serious, fundamental debate on what Florida is willing to invest in the future of its children and ultimately, in the future of the state.

Karen Waddell
April 24, 2006

http://www.tcpalm.com/tcp/opinion_columnists/article/0,,TCP_24463_4640805,00.html
 

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