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Springfield,
ILL.-Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today proposed a total fiscal year 2004 budget
of $1.4 billion for the Department of Children and Family Services that
includes $838 million from the General Revenue Fund. Demonstrating the
governor's commitment to the safety and well being of the state's most
vulnerable citizens-abused and neglected children-the agency's proposed
budget mirrors its FY03 budget.
"This
budget reflects my priorities for this agency-providing funding that ensures
the appropriate level of direct service staff needs, while eliminating
administrative waste. As we move into a new phase in child welfare, we
will provide direction and investments designed to meet the growing challenges
within the system," Governor Blagojevich said.
The proposed
budget will support the core mission of the department while providing
greater efficiencies in service delivery that will reduce agency costs.
Highlights include the following:
- $26.2
million in new spending to develop initiatives for children in the child
welfare system who have severe emotional and mental health needs.
- $13 million
in new spending designed to enhance training for private agency child
welfare staff and care providers.
- An increase
of $20.9 million, or 7.7 percent for new adoptions and guardianships,
reflecting the growing number of children leaving substitute care for
permanent homes.
- $7.5 million
in additional operations cuts achieved through the elimination of 110
non-direct staff positions, lease cancellation and reduced spending
on targeted equipment purchases.
- A reduction
of $30.1 million, or 8.7 percent, in foster care achieved through the
on-going efforts to reduce the size of the out-of-home population through
various prevention and permanency strategies. By the end of FY03, the
department anticipates an 11 percent reduction in foster care caseloads;
an additional 8 percent is projected in FY04, bringing the number of
children in foster care in Illinois to 16,650.
Contact:
Jill Manuel
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
312-814-6847
See also:
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