Editor: Recently, my husband and I were asked to take in a foster child by request of the foster child, who was having difficulty at her current home. Upon bringing the child to our home the caseworker explained that, because we were neither foster parents nor related to the child, it was called being placed in "nonrelative placement."
He said nonrelatives don't receive monetary help from the state as would a foster parent; the child would continue to be covered by Medicaid; and once a year the child would receive a school clothing voucher for about $300.
I was relieved to know that I would receive help with the school clothing because we have three children who are in school, and this would be a big relief. We have monthly visits to see how things are going, and saw a different caseworker who confirmed what was told to us by the worker who brought her to us.
Now time comes to ask for the clothing voucher, because school is about to start, and we are told by another caseworker that her boss said we are not entitled to help because we are not relatives.
What makes me angry is the state is saving a lot of money not paying a foster parent a monthly fee, and we can't even get a once-a-year school grant that she always received. The child is still technically under state care and ultimately the sate's responsibility, but they refuse to help us. Who makes these rules?
I would think that a nonrelative is more entitled to help than relatives, who have an obligation to help their own family. Why doesn't anyone know the truth about how the system works? Why were we told by two caseworkers the wrong information? I think it is outrageous how the state handles these situations.
-- Diane Kline, New Port Richey
Do the right thing for the schools
Editor: I have been keeping up with the budget for the School Board and about how our property taxes are being reduced, and it simply boggles my mind!
First, why give back tax money to the homeowners at a cost of $9.90 per year, which amounts to about 3 cents per day? Why not just turn this money over to the School Board and let them have the much-needed funds to support the schools, administration, teachers and, most importantly, the students? This makes absolutely no sense to me whatsoever.
Second, in an article appearing July 25, District directs more money to lower class size, it states "The budget is increasing by about 8.4 percent over last year." Didn't we go through something like this with last year's budget? And it seemed that both the School Board and our legislators came up with the numbers in which the School Board didn't have enough money to keep up with growth. It seems this is a continual cycle in making it look like the School Board is getting more money when in actuality it has had to make tremendous cuts.
I am so sick and tired of hearing the bashing from senior citizens, parents and many others about how well teachers get paid and how poorly they do their jobs. I work in the schools on a volunteer basis and have done so for many years since moving to Florida. Practically my whole adult life, I worked with children on a volunteer basis in several capacities and with different organizations.
As for senior citizens' complaining that they don't have any children in the school systems, neither do I. As for the parents, it is your responsibility to begin teaching your children before they start school.
A teacher has only so many hours per day to work with children in several different subjects. They are not miracle workers, but they do everything possible to help these children learn and advance. They have conferences with parents before and after school on their own time. They have to do lesson planning and grade papers on their own time. They have paperwork to fill out. They have to deal with children with behavior problems, a continual disruption of the teaching pattern and the classroom, every school day.
I say to senior citizens, stop complaining and volunteer at least one hour per week at a local school to help students read; and to the parents, children are a precious commodity. Teach them well at home before they start school, stay on top of them with their studies.
To our legislators and School Board, let's get the budget right and stop taking and start giving back!
-- Kathy Bruckmeyer, New Port Richey
[Last modified August 3, 2003, 01:47:46]
