Bad timing for service cuts
Richmond News
December 24, 2008
Jennifer Charlesworth, PhD, Executive Director, Federation of Child & Family Services of BC

The Editor,

The need for core funding to keep community organizations afloat touches on a serious problem. For the past two years, the Federation of Child and Family Services of B.C. has made this point to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government. We surveyed member agencies of the federation last year and were shocked to find that many had gone three years or more -- in one case, 11 years -- without an increase to their operational funding. This means no recognition of inflation-related cost increases for leases, utilities, fuel, information technology, and audit requirements, all of which have risen significantly over the past decade.

Most of these agencies have had to cut to the bone to survive. Some have considered closure. Services to vulnerable people are most definitely at risk.

Community-based social services, typically governed by volunteer boards of directors, make enormous contributions to our communities. They also make significant contributions to the economy -- estimated at seven per cent of the GDP. Their work is crucial to the education and health sectors. Child care, youth justice, early intervention, adoption of children in care, family support to child and youth mental health, food banks, housing services -- these threads of support woven through our communities are essential to the well-being of British Columbians….

The province is suggesting that due to the economic situation, cuts to spending are necessary. But this would be the worst possible time to cut back on services to vulnerable people, given that the need for support increases in times of economic downturn. What is required now is an infusion of new funding, to ensure our vital community social services sector can meet the escalating needs of people hurt by a faltering economy.