[marigold]

I tried to find a link for this letter or a way to attach it but couldn't so I will just try to type it up, this is the one I recieved from DCFS:
"Dear Cargivers,

The General Assembly recently approved a "50% budget" for fiscal year 2010 that cuts a long list of vital services and programs. This budget falls far short of meating the statutory obligations and needs of the state, and fails to fulfill our basic commitments to the people of Illinois.

The legislature's "50% budget" cuts $460,451,675 from $1,337,750,700 from the Illinois Department of Children and Family services, severly impacting our ability to provide services. Because caregivers stand to be significantly impacted should these cuts remain in place, I believe it is important that I summerize the most significant cuts.
~Foster care board rate and adoption subsidy payments will be reduced by 50% on average and would cover only basic maintenence costs.
~Systems of Care services that currently support youth in foster care would be eliminated.
~Inegrated assesment to children entering care would be eliminated.
~Training for caregivers would be eliminated.
~Day care services for all 5,257 children who currently recieve services would be eliminated.
~Respite, counseling, psycological assesments, after-school tutoring, pregnant and parenting teen services, and most othe foster care support services would be eliminated.
~Adoption preservation services would be eliminated, as would post-adoption thereputic daycare services.
~Caseloads are set to increase from 15/1 to 50/1.
~Approximately 1,171 staff which is 38% of the DCFS workforce, would be laid off by Oct. 1, 2009.
~Some DCFS offices would be closed and consolidated with offices in other locations.

As caregivers and citizens of the state of Illinois, you should be concerned about these budget cuts. Please know that the situation is not hopeless. In fact, every citizen can have a part in addressing this situation. Citizens should make sure that their representitives in the Illinois General Assembly understand the seriousness of these cuts and how they will affect the caregivers and other citizens in their district.

While it is clear we will be able to do very little to minimize the impacts of these cuts, we are working on a transition plan to handle the loss of servicesshould they occure. In the meantime, I continue to work with Govoner Quinn to help the general public and members of the General Assembly understand how devestating these reductions would be to some of the most valuable citizens of this great state. We will continue to work tirelessly to address the situation on behalf of you and the children and families that we serve.
Sincerly,
Erwin McEwen "