Family and Children's Services Copes with Funding Cut

Family and Children's Services in the Rainy River district admits staff cuts are still possible as it tries to cope with a $600-thousand dollar budget shortfall.

A cut in provincial funding along with some additional costs in dealing with two children with very high needs in its care has left the agency in a deficit situation for the first time in three years.

Board chair Bob McGreevy says it's forced them to make some immediate cost-saving measures to save services.

"We've initiated some cuts to a number of meetings our staff attends, travel, training," says McGreevy," and we're looking at staffing. We anticipate there might have to be some reductions in staff as well all the while ensuring the level of child protection services remains the same."

McGreevy says they've been in constant talks with the province in hopes of securing at least a portion money lost will be returned.

Meantime, the Ontario Public Service Employees Union is accusing the McGuinty government as treating children living in northern Ontario as "throwaways."

The harsh words come following news of the budget shortfall at Family and Children's Services.

OPSEU President Warren Thomas suggests the Rainy River agency is just the first in a long line of services facing similar funding problems and the government needs to reassess how it funds children and family services in the province.