Lack of Money

I'm having a difficult time of late reconciling my local CAS' funding cuts with the "gifts" we've received from them the last couple months. I know the Ontario Government withdrew discretionary funding meaning most CAS' in the province will be in a deficit position by the end of the fiscal year. And that this change in funding will have an impact on the people serviced by these agencies, but there are areas of funding that could be significantly reduced. Here are a couple of examples.

In October the foster families in London and Middlesex received a Tim Card as a Thank You. While costing considerably less then the annual banquet it is still a significant expense ($1550). Further this package was send out separate from the regular pay packet meaning additional postage is the amount of $176. Added to this we used to get a book of Wendy's Hallow'en coupons to share with the foster kids, but don't now.

Then a couple weeks ago I went to the mailbox to find a beautifully inscribed Heart Shaped Keychain. This is a gift from London Middlesex CAS to congratulate us on our adoption. The inscription on the rotating heart says "Adoption" and "Comes from the Heart." Never mind the costs of the keychains, but the mailing was over $265. If you want to give the adoptive families this present then please give it to the children at Happy Court.

I'm not ungratefully for what London Middlesex CAS has done for us and for other families in the area, but I think there are ways to cut unnecessary spending and not risk cutting services to the children and families.