Council Member Schulman Urges ACS to Reconsider Preventive Service Cuts

Sure, thank you, Chairmember.

Um so the cuts are actually pretty even across all um four contracts.

It's 1.76, uh 1.75, 1.75, and 1.81.

So it's approximately the same at all providers.

Um the reimbursement is 62% that we received from the child or services state funding.

Yeah, and I'm asking because that the total amount of the cut for the preventive services is a small piece of ACS's budget.

So were there any other areas that be especially since it is so important to have preventive services and we've seen the outcomes from preventive services?

That's number one.

And number two is that if you cut and then you have to do remediation on the other end, that's even more expensive.

So that's what I'm asking here if there's a way to do it differently.

I know the count the the admin has made a decision.

I get that.

Um, you know, the mayor ran on working with vulnerable families and also those that um you know and and the family unit, and so I think it's just important to really push and ask that question.

Um yes, and and I understand your concern.

Um we did look across the entire agency, look to maximize revenues, look to find areas of underspending, and really kept our focus on the least impact to children, youth, and families.

Um we want to we want to note that there are uh over a thousand vacant slots in this program.

I understand.

I understand there are reasons for vacant slots depending when the contract gets paid, depending on a whole bunch of stuff.

Um, Commissioner, you were a social worker, you know what in what's involved sometimes with families and everything else.

So I get that, but I'm I'm imploring that this be looked at again.

I don't want to take up too much more time because I know that my time is up.