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Budget Cuts and the FKCS
Despite our best efforts, the CINS/FINS statewide budget line
item, within the Department of Juvenile Justice, has taken
a hit of $973,000. And while we don’t know the amount
of local impact, we would say that it is expected to be significant
and one that we will have to work hard to deal with and overcome
– as it is one more reduction following five years of
legislative reductions at the state level. And as we learn
more about the local impact, we’ll keep our community
and local partners informed.
Dear friends and supporters:
Let's make it official. I'm worried. More than usual, that
is. I'm wondering if anyone else is as concerned as I am about
the future health and well-being of our already meager network
of local social service agencies. I think we are about to
witness the "perfect storm," a trifecta of bad economic news
at the federal, state and local levels, following a five-year
stint of budget reductions, compounded by falling donor support.
For those of us who provide these services in residential
settings, this coming storm is particularly nerve-wracking.
Most of us serve multiple levels of government -- none of
whom pay the "full cost" of providing the service and all
of whom produce reams of codes, rules, regulations, requirements,
mandates and standards by which we must do the work. Budget
reductions, by the way, never come with a reduction in requirements.
Name an issue and I can show you several policies, procedures,
and forms related to it that must be completed.
In residential settings, the service we provide is the staff.
Of course, we house (buildings, maintenance, equipment, utilities,
vehicles) and support (food, clothing, bedding, medicine,
daily activities). And then there is the getting and managing
of money to do the work, and the oversight of all the requirements
that go along with it (recruiting, training, supervising).
But what we really are all about is the human interaction
-- the supervision (eyes on the client), the counseling,
the crisis intervention, the treatment. To be effective requires
strong, committed, teachable employees, willing to work with
challenging populations immersed in all the human tragedy
and drama one can imagine -- and enough of those individuals
to fill up three shifts a day, 365 days a year. The kind
of people you'd trust with your own child, or parent, or
spouse, or sibling.
Government agencies at all levels are ramping up the rhetoric
about the looming budget crisis, which will require "great
sacrifice" and "tough decision-making." My organization,
the Florida Keys Children's Shelter, has seen a steady erosion
of more than half a million dollars in funding over the past
five years. Yet, by being tough as nails and flying in the
face of reason, we've managed to become nationally accredited
and recognized by Charity Navigator for "sound fiscal management." But
I will tell you in all honesty that our hold on extraordinary
performance in the face of enormous challenges is tenuous,
at best. And we are not alone.
In the past month, we've all read about the troubles at
the convalescent center, the drastic reduction of some services
at the Guidance Clinic of the Middle Keys, and our own Monroe
County Juvenile Detention Center has closed temporarily with
too few staff to remain safely open. I fear that this is
just the tip of the iceberg.
Most local agencies have been cut to the bone already, yet
we limp on, totally committed to serving our special populations
and the citizens of our county. But there comes a point where
safety and effectiveness are impacted by too few dollars
coming in to sustain the effort. When that moment comes for
any organization, the only real place to make further reductions
is in personnel, and eventually there are not enough staff
left to do the work as it needs to be done. And, despite
the fact that we do slightly different work with slightly
different parts of the population, i.e. homeless or troubled
children, homeless women with or without children, domestic
violence, homeless veterans, homeless men, the mentally ill,
the addicted, the frail elderly or other special populations
-- we work together, refer cases to each other and support
the collective effort to support our most vulnerable citizens.
The loss of one organization or service affects the ability
of the rest of us to successfully impact those we work with.
Healthy, vibrant and effective not-for-profit organizations
require sufficient funding. It is easy to see each organization's
issues as singular to that organization and not as a part
of an overall erosion of a social support system. The not-for-profit
community is the third leg of the three-legged stool that
supports society -- the private sector (business), the public
sector (government) and the social sector (not-for-profits).
As a community, we need to pay attention to the health and
well-being of all three sectors.
We hope that during this holiday season, you will support
the charities of your choice. We also hope you'll take every
opportunity to vocally support strengthened funding for these
critical programs at all levels of government.
Thank you,
Kathy Tuell
President and Chief Executive Officer
12 Bikes for the 12 Days of Christmas
The Birthday Club
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“Giving up gifts -- Giving out
smiles” is the motto of the Birthday
Club. These young philanthropists forgo birthday
gifts and collect donations instead benefiting
the FKCS. Their generosity is unselfish and inspiring. Laura
Woods is the special lady nurturing these compassionate
kids and encouraging all of us by her example!
The Birthday Club recently presented FKCS with all
the trimmings for a happy holiday along with a cash
donation well over $1,200. During their visit
to the Jelsma Emergency Shelter in Tavernier, the Club
members and their parents learn a great deal about
the FKCS system, and had a question and answer session
with Kathy Tuell, President and CEO and Janey Miller,
Chief Development Officer. |
Mayor's Ball 2008
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FKCS
celebrated the 2008 Mayor's Ball, hosted by Mayor Morgan
McPherson, on Saturday, December 13, at the Casa Marina
Resort and Beach Club in Key West.
To view photos and/or to purchasse photos, click here. |
The FKCS Wish List
Below are items that some of our programs are in need
of. If you would like to donate any of these items you may
contact Kelli Brower at 305.731.3943 or fkcsdream@yahoo.com.
These items have been requested specifically by the Program
Coordinators and are needed to perform basic, everyday
function for their programs. Thank you!
Project Lighthouse
Key West Street Outreach program serving
the Homeless and Runaway Youth
- Apartment sized Refrigerator and Freezer
- Clay kiln
- Sewing machine
Group Home, Key West
Serving youth 11 through 17 years
of age
Total gym (or some type of universal weight machine)
New sectional couch
Large area rug for living room
Kayaks/paddles/life jackets
Outdoor basketball hoop
Large flat-screen TV
Bicycles (for teenagers)
Stainless steel cookware (pots and pans)
The Florida Keys Children's Shelter, inc. is a 501(c)3
tax- exempt organization. An audited financial statement,
Continuous Quality Improvement data and Risk Management information
are available upon request.
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