Legislature undoing cuts affecting kids

State lawmakers are backing away from severe cuts they had proposed to foster care, adoption subsidies and other programs that benefit some of Florida's most vulnerable children.

George Sheldon, secretary of the Department of Children & Families, warned in April that proposed budget cuts would fall short of federal minimums for foster care. If that happens, he said, federal officials might revoke Florida's waiver allowing the state to spend federal foster care dollars on front-end prevention services to keep more families intact.

It appeared Thursday that the House and Senate had heard Sheldon's warning, with the House proposing to restore nearly all the money needed for foster care and the Senate budgeting all but $4 million.

Lawmakers also restored funding for adoption subsidies this week, including money to cover expected growth. The state offers the subsidies to encourage people to adopt foster children with special needs who might require extra health or psychological care.

Things were looking up for children in need of mental health or substance abuse treatment as well, with the Senate backing off on a $13 million cut to those services for adults and children. Both chambers agreed to restore $15.1 million for local programs and organizations that serve those needs.

Still unresolved: how much to spend on "independent living" grants to foster children who never were adopted and "age out" of the system. The state awards the grants to the former wards for several years after they turn 18 to help them further their education, find housing and otherwise safely transition into adult life.

By Thursday night, the Senate, which initially had proposed no funding for the program, had found $3 million for it. The House, which earlier had budgeted only $500,000, had proposed spending $1 million. Full funding of the program would require $6 million to $7 million, Senate staff say.

It's a start, said Sen. Nan Rich, vice chairwoman of the Senate panel on health and human services spending. "But it's not enough."

The state spent $4.6 million in one-time dollars in 2008 to fund foster kids who had aged out, Rich said. The state needs to fill that $4.6 million hole, she said, because the grants last for several years - plus come up with the money for kids aging out this year.

Sheldon said he remains optimistic, given the direction of budget negotiations.

"I think everyone has recognized that we're really providing services for the most vulnerable who are most affected by the economic downturn," he said.