EXCERPT FROM: Statesman Journal
By Thelma Guerrero-Huston
Kim Lebahn is beside herself with worry that in the future she might not be able to provide for her children.
"It's hard to sleep at night, and I cry a lot," said the divorced mother of two. "I've done everything that I was supposed to do. I found a job, and I provide for my kids."
Lebahn and hundreds of other low-income working parents in Salem and Marion County are facing changes to their day care subsidies as a result of state budget cuts. The cuts "are part of the governor's order for 10 percent reductions for all agencies," said Gene Evans, a spokesman for Oregon Department of Human Services. "With the recession, lower tax revenues, and the governor's order, we were forced to make changes."
Last month, DHS' Children, Adults and Families Division mailed letters to 1,169 families in Marion County, alerting them that changes were coming to the Employment Related Day Care program. The program helps low-income working families stay employed by assisting them with the cost of child care.
"They're tough decisions, and every one of the decisions we make impacts somebody," Evans said. "We sent the letters ... so that people would know this cut is coming, so they could try to make some alternate arrangements." But it's not that easy, said Rosa Rodriguez, a divorced mother of three. For her, the full cost of day care for her three children — $1,000 per month — would eat most of her paychecks.
"I don't have a strong family support, so there's no one to help watch my kids," Rodriguez said. "I'd have to quit my job and stay home with my kids." It's been awhile since Rodriguez, whose children are 4, 7 and 8, has been on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF. She's worked at a pet clinic for the past two years.
"I've been on TANF, and I went to school like I was told I had to do, and I found a job," she said. "I've stayed off assistance just like the state requested, but now I'm being punished for having a job and not getting TANF." Families aren't the only ones who will be affected by the cuts.
Providers already are feeling the effects.
"I'm trying to have faith that it will work out," said Linda Arp, the owner of Berry Patch Kids day care in east Salem, where Lebahn's children go.
"I would lose my house if my clients lose their ERDC," she said. "Even if it doesn't affect them this year, there's still next year." Autumn David, who runs a certified day care out of her home, where Rodriguez's children go, said the cuts mean she'll be losing half her clients,"Either I'll have to give them a huge discount or I'll lose a good chunk of my income," she said."Right now, I'm just really worried about my clients."