Congressmen press Washington to relinquish foster care funds
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U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter yesterday said he and other members of Pennsylvania's congressional delegation are pressuring federal officials to release $170 million meant for the state's foster care program for children.
The money has been on hold since last year, when officials with the federal Administration for Children and Families discovered that the state wasn't following guidelines for reporting expenses.
The state Department of Public Welfare recently adjusted its reporting procedures, but the federal government won't resume funding until it conducts a new audit.
Mr. Specter, a Republican, was joined by Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato and U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Upper St. Clair, who warned that the issue could soon hurt thousands of children at risk of being sent into foster care.
"The last thing they need is a battle between the state and the federal government over bureaucratic paperwork," Mr. Murphy said.
That battle could cost Allegheny County as much as $11 million this year, and Mr. Onorato predicted drastic cuts in the county's Office of Children, Youth and Families if no resolution is reached by the fall.
About 2,600 children are in foster care at any given moment in the county, while another 6,400 are receiving some type of in-home services that try to keep them out of foster care.
Mr. Onorato said the county may have to close some of its more than two dozen family support centers.
"We have to cut $11 million in services to balance the budget," he said. "These are services we won't provide to children."
Last year, the state covered the gap in federal funding for local foster care programs. This year, however, state officials say they can no longer afford to help county governments.
Mr. Specter said he has received letters of concern from commissioners in more than half of the state's 67 counties.
David J. Lett, regional administrator for the Administration for Children and Families, has said his office is following rules created by Congress to safeguard billions of dollars in federal money.
Mr. Specter described the federal government's criticisms of Pennsylvania as "purely technical."
He said he would use his position on the Senate's Appropriations Committee to put pressure on Mr. Lett's boss, Health and Human Services Secretary Michael O. Leavitt.
"Secretary Leavitt has to come to my subcommittee for $52 billion a year," he said. "We have the leverage."
Wade F. Horn, assistant secretary for children and families, said Mr. Leavitt would "carefully consider any requests from a U.S. senator."
First Published July 8, 2006 12:00 am
