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