Advocates axed, News and Observer (06.21.2011)
The recently passed state budget makes drastic cuts to the Youth Advocacy and Involvement Office in the N.C. Department of Administration where I worked for 26 years and retired as director last year. The agency’s 10 positions were cut to five. Positions abolished include all three child advocacy specialists.
These dedicated professionals worked hard to help people who called with complicated children’s problems such as child abuse, child health, child support, education, foster care, etc. The callers included parents, teachers, law enforcement, social workers and teens who have gotten the runaround from local agencies, didn’t know who to call or what to do. These positions have been in existence for over 35 years.
It’s a sad day in this state when this service will no longer be available to our residents. What kind of state have we become?
Al Deitch
Raleigh