More Funds Voted For In Solano to Meet Increasing Pressure from Foreclosure Related Needs

Although elsewhere donation lines are showing a downward curve, the First 5 Solano Children and Families Commission recently voted for more funds – expanding it by $750,000 each year to meet the growing pressure from foreclosure related needs. These funds were added to their annual budget of $4.3 million so as to enable them to increase their activities in tending to children from birth till the age of five as well as their families. These families have been badly mauled by the foreclosure crisis and related job losses. The agency initially had not expected that extra funds would be available, said Christina Aroostuto, its director.

Tobacco taxes keep First 5 Solano running. It cares for parents who are expecting and children up to the age of five. Proposition 10 was passed by the voters in California in 1998 to create this fund. The funds are expected to regularly go down as more people kick the smoking habit. But the reduction is not taking place as had been anticipated said Arrostuto. The organization disburses about $5 million annually to meet local demand and requirement.

The commission gives first priority to health insurance programme for children and steps have been taken to see that funding remains uninterrupted till 2012. The executive director of Solano Coalition for Better Health, Rosalia Velazquez said, “Covering all kids will continue to be a top priority for Solano County and First 5 Solano Commission is a key partner in our efforts to ensure that every child in Solano County who needs it has health insurance.” Better Health is in charge of regional Children Health Initiative covering four counties.

Christina Arrostuto said that additional funding is being made to oversee dental, mental health as well as pre-natal care so that there are no gaps in health care. The commission hopes to expand its funding for Family Support Services by $102,000 each year. Arrostuto added, “We’re just so pleased to be able to help support all these wonderful organizations, especially now when donations are down and needs are critical.”

The activities of the commission have been lauded by Michael Oprendek who is the Director of the Health and Social Services Mental Health Division. He said, “We are seeing a steady increase in children and families that need mental health services as the economic crisis worsens. These funds will help us get services to young children who need them most at their critical stages of development.”

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