Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature

Child and community grants cut

Published (1/21/2011)
By Patty Ostberg
Share on: 



Child protection services and services for adults needing mental health assistance could see a funding reduction in the 2012-2013 biennium under a bill approved 11-7 by the House Health and Human Services Finance Committee Jan. 19.

Sponsored by Committee Chairman Jim Abeler (R-Anoka), HF128 would reduce children and community services grants by $38.5 million, emergency general assistance by $15.9 million, county child support enforcement administration costs by $6.7 million, emergency Minnesota supplemental aid by $2.2 million and adult mental health services for those under State Operated Services by $1.17 million.

“We are faced with a challenge that’s bigger than anybody ever had with less resources to draw on” Abeler said. “This is how we budget sometimes. … This is a drop in the ocean for the numbers.”

Mary Regan, executive director of the Minnesota Council of Child Caring Agencies, said the reductions will directly affect “children, adolescents and adults who experience dependency, abuse, neglect, poverty, disability and chronic health conditions.”

The majority of the funds “are spent on child protection to intervene and investigate in allegations of abuse and neglect,” she added. There are no other organizations or nonprofits that are able to investigate the 17,218 reports of maltreatment that happened in 2009, she said.

Rep. Mary Kiffmeyer (R-Big Lake) said the bill makes a needed structural change.

When the state has a surplus, increases in certain areas create an expectation. But in the lean years that follow, when money is scarce, a restructuring is required to meet needs, she said.

While the permanent cuts are similar to last special session’s budget reductions, there were federal dollars to use as backfill, noted Rep. Larry Hosch (DFL-St. Joseph).

The bill now goes to the House Ways and Means Committee. There is no Senate companion.

Session Weekly More...


Session Weekly Home



Related Stories


A positive balance
Omnibus health care law focuses on reform, restoring cuts and delaying pending cuts
(view full story) Published 5/25/2012

Looking out for children and families
Law offers new safe haven option for newborns; addresses adoption and child safety
(view full story) Published 5/25/2012

Caring for those who care for others
Omnibus health and human services bill remains a moving target
(view full story) Published 3/30/2012

Nursing home funding models
Should residents who can afford to, pay more?
(view full story) Published 3/23/2012

Minnesota Index: Smoking in the state
Facts and statistics on tobacco use in Minnesota
(view full story) Published 3/16/2012

Reform measures draw support
Health and human services reductions draw sharp DFL rebuke
(view full story) Published 8/11/2011

Delivery of health and human services
Governor says proposal puts too many people in health care jeopardy
(view full story) Published 7/15/2011

Surgical precision
HHS budget — end-of-session sticking point
(view full story) Published 5/20/2011

Advocating for patients and constituents
Nurses as legislators add their perspective to health care issues
(view full story) Published 5/13/2011

Aiming for reform
House approves omnibus health and human services finance bill
(view full story) Published 4/8/2011

Omnibus game and fish bill approved
Deer hunting, two-line fishing provisions push people’s buttons
(view full story) Published 4/8/2011

Care for underserved communities
Community paramedic program is a ‘first of its kind’ proponents say
(view full story) Published 4/8/2011

A hand up in climb out of poverty
Bipartisan initiative looks to fund expansion of ‘Circles of Support’ program
(view full story) Published 4/1/2011

Feature: A healthier Minnesota
Long-term savings the goal of statewide improvement plan
(view full story) Published 2/4/2011

At Issue: No access for all
Report says more oversight needed of state-funded non-emergency transportation
(view full story) Published 2/4/2011