LOS ANGELES (AP) Thousands of children with emotional
disorders could lose critical mental health services provided by a
state program whose funding has been sharply reduced.
Using his line-item veto, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger cut nearly
all funding for the Children's System of Care, a 20-year-old
initiative that provides therapy, case management and emergency
intervention, among other services.
About 4,000 California children, including some who are
suicidal, could be affected. While many children can still receive
services through Medi-Cal, nearly 15 percent will lose all their
mental health services.
Schwarzenegger, who slashed the program's funds while signing a
$105.4 billion budget, said the move was ``necessary to help build
a prudent reserve and bring ongoing expenditures in line with
existing resources over the long term.''
However, advocates worry about impact the cuts will have on
children who rely on the program.
``There's a lot of kids who would commit suicide, who would not
get their lives back on track, who would become entangled in the
juvenile justice system if they don't get this help,'' said Paul
Yoder, a lobbyist for the California Mental Health Directors
Association.
The initiative started as a Ventura County pilot program in
1984. It coordinates all county services mentally ill children
might need, and brings together mental health employees, parents,
social workers, probation officers and others to arrange plans to
help children.
Information from: Los Angeles Times, http://www.latimes.com
(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)