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Foster care agency to cut staff Already beset with financial and service problems
Foster care agency to cut staff Already beset with financial and
service problems, Family Continuity Programs plans to lay off 30 caseworkers. By CURTIS KRUEGER, Times Staff Writer Published February 13, 2004 PINELLAS PARK - The troubled agency that cares for foster children in Pinellas and Pasco counties plans to lay off 30 caseworkers, even as it struggles to save its license because of poor performance. The cuts are intended to improve the agency's financial picture without putting children at risk, said Lisa Tackus, acting executive director of Family Continuity Programs. But the layoffs surprised officials with some agencies that work closely with Family Continuity. They said they are concerned the reduction in caseworkers may leave children unprotected. News of the layoffs leaked out Thursday morning when Roxanne Fixsen, who until this week was Family Continuity's No. 2 official, told Pinellas County's Juvenile Welfare Board that the agency planned to lay off 100 to 120 people. That would be a quarter or more of its work force. Fixsen said she confirmed the planned cuts on Tuesday and announced she would quit in protest as of Wednesday. Her comments shocked officials at Thursday's meeting. "As a layperson, that sounds like an insane cut to me," said Pinellas Commissioner Ken Welch, a member of the Juvenile Welfare Board. Replied Fixsen: "As a professional, it sounds like an insane cut to me." Her comments later drew a rebuke from Tackus, who called Fixsen's figures "absolutely inaccurate." "Unfortunately Roxanne said things that now have allowed the community to be in an uproar," Tackus said. The layoffs come at a critical time for Family Continuity. The state Department of Children and Families recently put the agency on a provisional license, criticizing it for allowing too many foster homes to become overcrowded and for "a fundamental lack of supervisory oversight." Family Continuity is projecting a $3-million deficit. About a month ago, the agency's nonprofit corporate parent replaced Family Continuity's executive director, hiring a for-profit management company. April Putzulu, spokeswoman for Family Continuity, said the agency employs about 195 caseworkers, including 29 who are in some form of training. She said the agency plans to reduce the caseworker staff to about 165. Lynn Richard, district administrator for the Department of Children and Families, said he thinks Family Continuity intends to drop some less-experienced caseworkers, leaving it with a leaner but well-seasoned work force. Cutting caseworkers traditionally worries social service experts, because caseworkers often are the people who notice signs of abuse in children. They also work with families who are trying to get their children out of foster care. Cuts generally mean remaining caseworkers have larger caseloads, and that often leads to problems. High caseloads make it difficult for workers to visit children monthly and check on their safety. Workers also have less time to return phone calls from parents trying to win back their children. Putzulu said Family Continuity, with a staff of more than 400, also plans more cuts in its administrative staff. She did not offer specifics Thursday. Richard, the DCF administrator, said ideally Family Continuity would increase the number of caseworkers. But given the agency's financial picture, he said, the layoffs seem prudent. Richard said average caseloads would increase from about 24 to 27 per worker. At the same time, he said, the cuts will reduce costs. "I think being fiscally responsible is a key issue here," Richard said. Tackus, the acting executive director, said it is no secret that financial mismanagement has shaken stability at Family Continuity. Tackus, who took over last month, was brought in by Providence Services Corp. of Arizona, the for-profit management company. Providence is being paid a set amount and will not earn more by reducing employees. Family Continuity's job is to take over much of the work previously handled by government caseworkers for the state Department of Children and Families. Its staff helps place children in foster homes and works with parents who have been accused of abuse or neglect. Although the agency has had its successes, it often has struggled. A state investigation last year said Family Continuity had sent foster kids into potentially abusive homes and too frequently moved children from home to home. Last month, Family Continuity argued that it had turned the corner on those problems, hiring new caseworkers and decreasing caseloads. Figures showed the agency had greatly reduced the number of overcrowded foster homes. The person who gave that presentation last month was Fixsen, who announced Thursday that she had resigned in protest of a change in direction. http://www.sptimes.com/2004/02/13/So...gency_to.shtml Defend your civil liberties! Get information at http://www.aclu.org, become a member at http://www.aclu.org/join and get active at http://www.aclu.org/action. |
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