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B00r� 101 PAGE 411 problems of students and the need for the resources for referral. He felt there were success stories in Indian River County. He thought we are winning the "war" on education. The school system cannot be the answer for all of the problems that are society's needs. He supported the program, the need for it, and will be proud to serve on the committee. Debb Robinson, 315 Greytwig Road, does not work with any of agencies and has not been involved in the Children's Services Network. She did not know how the funds would be administered, but stated there is a huge need here. The organizations now in place not do not come anywhere close to meeting the needs. This money is a drop in the bucket of what we need. Kids do not have a vote and do not have a voice. It is incumbent on us, as the adults in this community, that they be given a chance. She hoped the Board would not only fund this program, but administer it wisely, make sure that it is accountable, and look seriously at increasing the dollar value. We can only build with what we can create now. Rev. Henry Holmes, 4185 57'h Court, Gifford, spoke in support of the initiative. He sat on the committee several years ago. He wanted to address the problem with adolescents who are slipping through the cracks. We are fortunate to have United Way. He is a consultant for writing grants. He cited the program as a way to help stop the cycle of crime. We are not going to save everybody, but just reaching out to save one, you never know who that one will be. He urged a unanimous vote to adopt this program. Rolf Bibow has been a 30 -year volunteer for children and an 11 year mentor for young children. He made two observations. He did not see this as a huge expansion of dollars, but as a more judicious way to target those dollars. The whole purpose is to identify needs. Second, it is not a revolutionary idea, he sees it as an evolution. He believed we are living in a perilous society for our children. He urged unanimous support. Jane Burton, 2235 40 Avenue, speaking as a community advocate, was not in favor of more taxes, but did support the Children's Services Network She suggested a compromise: to fund the program on a yearly basis with an annual review of accomplishment tied to the next year's funding. Gene Waddell advised he had served on the Children's Services Advisory Committee since its inception in 1990. He resented an earlier comment that the committee has done nothing. The reason there has not been a solution suggested earlier is that it is such a big problem. They were very fortunate that Sandy Kahle came along with a well -thought-out plan and a vision, which proved to be the success formula that would make children's services in this community successful. He stressed that the program is not designed to be a.welfare program. It is trying to expand anything currently being done and it is not trying to invent a bureaucracy. It is as close to a United Way type approach to children's programming that you can get. He thought it was time to do it. He was formerly on the School Board and learned that all the bad that is being done to children is being done by adults. This program will give the Board of County Commissioners more oversight, a much more objective approach to children's services funding than currently is done. By leaving children's services in the budget process, a ramble scramble will continue. This would be a volunteer group of unbiased and objective people, who would do the screening on the dollars. The Board will not have to accept what they recommend if they do not want to do so. He urged the Board to support the program. It was determined that no one else wished to be heard and the Chairman closed the public hearing. Commissioner Ginn detailed her observations of the program beginning with "what did we do without `big brother"'. She is not opposed to helping people, nor is she opposed to spending tax dollars for children. She believed that some of the social problems that have hurt families have been caused by social programs. She felt this program is far too sweeping. She is unsure what unmet -needs and under - met -needs meant. She was also concerned about who decides where the dollars will be recommended to be spent. She gave information and statistics on many surrounding counties giving the percentages of the dollars (in their programs) actually spent on children's services. 40 MAY 132 1997 M M M