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Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Ind. Courts - Still more on: "Indianapolis Courts, City dedicate $2 Million to Clear Backlog of Cases for Children in Need of Court Appointed Special Advocates"
Updating this ILB entry from Nov. 25th, the Richmond Palladium-Item has an editorial today headed "Lawmakers must fund advocates for children." It is a reprint of the Indy Star's Nov. 27th editorial headed "It's state's turn to step up for kids." Some quotes:
Indiana's foster care system is a maze that can leave even legally savvy adults feeling lost. It can be much worse for children, the one party that often lacks representation as cases move through the courts.It's greatly encouraging then that Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard has decided, despite a tight city budget that has forced cuts in most services, to invest $2 million in recruiting and training up to 200 volunteer child advocates in Marion County. * * *
Yet the city's move, as welcome as it is, will serve only as a short-term solution.
As noted, a four-year-old state law requires that advocates be assigned to each child in foster care. The state now covers most child welfare costs, but advocate programs aren't included. About 4,000 children were on waiting lists for an advocate in early 2009.
In short, the state isn't willing to pay for a program that it requires. The state Court of Appeals, meanwhile, has held local governments, which like Indianapolis are frequently strapped for cash, accountable for the cost of supplying advocates.
The General Assembly needs to address the discrepancy between what it requires and what it pays for in next year's session, even though the state itself has been staggered by revenue shortfalls.
How can the state afford to resolve this problem with money so tight? It's a question of priorities. Greg Ballard has shown he understands that. It's up to the legislature and Gov. Mitch Daniels to do the same.
Posted by Marcia Oddi on December 1, 2009 09:02 AM
Posted to Indiana Courts | Indiana Government | Indiana Law