LAUDERHILL – Today (May 26) the Children’s Services Council of Broward County (CSC) held its Council Meeting and Budget Retreat to review funding recommendations for programs that help prevent abuse and neglect, support mothers suffering from maternal depression, give disadvantaged youth summer employment & training opportunities and much more.
One of those program is the CSC’s Supported Training & Employment Program (STEP), a year-round program offering job skills, independent living training and employment experience to prepare youth with developmental disabilities and/or physical disabilities for post-secondary education, training and employment. Last year, the Council was able to provide 13 more jobs than originally planned, all while saving more than $1,500 budgeted.
The Council also discussed Abuse & Neglect Prevention through the Family Strengthening Program. Contracts with twenty Family Strengthening Programs that are set to expire this September, currently provide highly effective services to families at-risk for child abuse and neglect due to multiple risk factors. Ninety-four percent of participants in FY 13-14 who successfully completed the program, did not receive a verified abuse report within 12 months of completion.
“We look forward to continuing to provide the leadership, advocacy and resources necessary to ensure all children in Broward grow up to be responsible, productive adults and I thank the members of the Council for their diligent work in making sure every single dollar taxpayers contribute to these programs is spent wisely and effectively,” said Cindy Arenberg Seltzer, President/CEO of the CSC.
The new Children’s Services Council’s budget will take effect October 1, 2015.
The Children’s Services Council of Broward County is an independent taxing authority which was established by a public referendum on September 5, 2000, which, through Public Act, Chapter 2000-461 of the laws of Florida, authorized the Council to levy up to 0.5 mills of property taxes. The role of the Council is to provide the leadership, advocacy and resources necessary to enhance children’s lives and empower them to become responsible, productive adults through collaborative planning and funding of a continuum of quality care.
