[jayzable]

Are these letters only going to current Foster Parents who have a placement? Or to those with adoption subsidies as well? I haven't received such a letter.

[jphollen]

I have some friends with adoption subsidies that received their letters from DCFS today.

Things look as bleak as ever, despite my daily email to the fine standing governor of Illinois

We loose all SOC (system of care) services for our foster son 11, who has RAD and intermittent explosive disorder at the end of the month. I am trying to make an effort to stay positive but it's getting harder.

Jen in IL

[marigold]

I know how you feel Jen, I keep hoping it will work out! I email EVERYBODY who could make a difference daily so I encourage you to also. I know from a talk with a local leg. that they are trying to pass a more equall cut budget but still a cut one. I still keep in contact with my SOC worker and I can't imagine getting through those times without her. Keep your voices strong and heard, we cannot let these cuts happen to these innocent children. 100% funding for state employees paychecks with a min. 4% raise but only 50% funding for DCFS!!??!?!? WHere is the logic!

[marigold]

I also wanted to add, if you have not recieved a letter that is probably because you are not on an active mailing list, or your agency has not yet felt it neccesary to wanr you, call them, talk to them, it is horrifying but for now it is somthing we need to be prepared for!

[jayzable]

I have an adoption subsidy in place for several years now, and still have not received a letter. Has anyone who has a current subsidy received a letter????

[BZmom7]

I got my letter yesterday . I've been calling our agency to see if they can give me any info on how this will effect the fs we have right now. So far......only answering machines and no calls back.

We also adopted 2 sibs from foster care last March...we're wondering if these cuts will effect the subs. or worse yet...the therepy that ds has to take.

I'm a working mom and with these possible cuts i'm not sure whats going to happen. If I do continue to work...it might mean we'll have to give up fostering

Does anyone know when this is all suppose to take effect???...or is it still all up in the air?????

Like we as foster parents don't have enough STRESS...now THIS???

Such a shame for EVERYONE...but esp. the kids.

[Ssumner]

I heard this could affect some situtations as early as July. This could be a mess. We have not even started taking PRIDE classes and now I heard all training classes would be eliminated. SO.... what do they do with all the children?? Send them back to a bad situation? Do you know how this can affect everyone?! I read somewhere that the entire foster care system could be eliminated???? How could this be true? I am so frustrated and concerned about all the children and valuable services that maybe eliminated

[marigold]

I have talked personally with some local leg. they assure me that this is just politicing at its best. Throw some fuel in the fire so that things get moving. Threaten to fold DCFS which is unthinkable than get a tax increase. I just wish that they would have asked all of us foster parents if we wanted to be a part of this gamble. They tell me to be prepared for these cuts some as soon as July 1st but that everyone is trying to make the blow softer. I just want to know what they are thinking it is a horriable situation.

[marigold]

The good and the bad news. Instead of waiting till next tuesday Director McEwen has decided to give a two month budget that will not cut any subsidies (adoption, foster, spec.etc...) however he is cutting all daycare. (including protective daycare scary!) So I know I am up a creek without a paddle so to speak. These boys are mine and I will do everything for them but hope and pray that we don't continue to be victims of this political war!

[jphollen]

Hang in there

Daycare is devastating thats for sure, as a stay at home mom I have offered to help out a few other foster parents in my area.

It's not fair this whole situation just is ridiculous. We have been told counseling services are still on the block to be chopped. Two of our three kids have serious mental health issues.

It's not fair to even threaten this crap in the name of politics. Maybe they could stop repaving I-88 every ten minutes to save some money lol.

Jen

[mrstkg1]

I wonder how some of the people I know with sibling groups will handle the daycare situation. I know a relative caregiver that has 3 children in daycare. There is no way that she is going to be able to pay their daycare on her own. Oh my. Hopefully it can be resolved soon.

[marigold]

The letter I recieved said that all contracted consuling and mental health services will continue for two months but no new services and some therapy will be cut. Then after two months who knows what happens! I have three in daycare also and I work in daycare even with my discounted rate I am not sure how I could afford it!

[jphollen]

marigold- who are you with? (agency wise)

[mrstkg1]

Any updates on the budget situation from anyone?

[blueflower]

I got a call from our agency today. The PRIDE class we were registered for, that started a week from this Saturday, is canceled ... as are all the others she knows of ... until further notice. Also, she said that as of 5 pm tonight, which was an hour ago, half of the group (that particular group, or those who delt with classes??) were getting laid off. She also warned me that the subsidies might be cut, but that it hasn't come down yet. I didn't tell her I knew all this, but thanked her for calling and to let us know if another class happens.

We just sent in our first batch of paper work, about half of all of it, last week. So I told her to keep an eye out as it should be in their office. So hope that a copy of all those important papers didn't go somewhere else. We'll continue with the process, but who knows when the classes will start up again.