Clark discussed the center’s budget for the next three years and noted that without more money from the school district, the center would be unable to meet the cash match requirements on the state and federal grants the center receives from the Department of Welfare.

The center has received about $5,000 annually from Children and Youth Services over the last several years for services provided to the agency. The center also accepts contributions, and collected around $8,300 for 06-07.

The family center was one of the first 13 such centers built in the state, and is one of 48 currently in the state.

The center focuses on delivering services to families and keeping children and families out of the formal child welfare system.

The center strives for five outcomes as guidelined by the Department of Welfare. The first outcome is economic self-sufficiency for families through adult education, training and employment. The second outcome is healthy development and health care services for children.

Positive child development through effective parenting, early intervention and outreach activities is the third desired outcome. Preservation of the family unit as a foundation for success for children is the fourth outcome, and seamless, comprehensive and easily accessed networks of services for children and families rounds out the list.

The center has seen funding of around $130,000 annually since its high funding mark of $194,561 for the 95-96 year. It received $133,586 in 06-07.

The workers at the center have over 42 years of experience in parent educating, a position with high turnover rates statewide. All of the workers also have teacher certification.

The parent educators receive no benefits. “We beat our cars every day,” Clark told the board.

The center has provided 17,876 home visits since 1998, and 1,132 already in 07-08.

“I am very proud of that number,” said Clark . “Those are cases of early intervention, where there wouldn’t have been any if it weren’t for the family center.”

Families enrolled in the center receive a minimum of two one-hour home visits per month, although that number can be increased or decreased depending on the needs of the family.

A family center fact sheet states research has shown a strong correlation between the frequency of home visits and the positive outcomes achieved for children and families.

Clark is asking the school board for a promise of around $10,500 per year over the next three years for transportation costs and communication equipment.

The money from the government comes only if the center can procure a ten percent cash match from the school, CYS, and the public.

“I would hate to see $135,000 turned down because we couldn’t put $10,000 down,” commented A-C Valley board member Jennifer Feicht.

“I’m not very comfortable pledging $30,000 over three years,” said district superintendent Brenda Brinker. “The center is an asset to our community, but it is hard to commit to an amount when our budget isn’t worked out. I’m nervous based on information from the governor’s office.”

Board member Robert Best said, “The program has been under funded for years. I don’t have a problem increasing funding. We can pay now or our children can pay later.”

Clark said that the center has prepared a budget for a $10,500 yearly contribution from A-C Valley and also a budget that pledges $4,000, $7,000 and $10,000 for the three years, respectively.