In CA, welfare faces big hit as demand for services soars

Welfare faces big hit as demand for services soars
By Cynthia Hubert
chubert@sacbee.com
Published: Monday, Dec. 22, 2008 | Page 1A


Welfare benefits in California could be cut to levels of seven or eight years ago, under at least one state budget proposal.

Agencies that serve some of society's most vulnerable people are slashing staff and canceling services in anticipation of state budget cuts to welfare programs.

"It's like we're turning back the clock on 10 years of effective social policy," said Cathy Senderling, senior legislative advocate for the California Welfare Directors Association.

In the face of a woeful economy, soaring caseloads and state budget cuts that could total billions of dollars, administrators of programs that include CalWORKs, Medi-Cal and food stamps are on the verge of panic.

"Everyone is extremely concerned," said Bruce Wagstaff, director of the Department of Human Assistance in Sacramento County. "At the same time we're talking about these cuts, we're seeing a huge demand. It's going up every day. So any further cuts are going to seriously affect our ability to help these people. The prospect is pretty disturbing."

more...

http://www.sacbee.com/topstories/story/1491374.html

So many people out of work and services being slashed. How long will it take to turn things around? Jeeez, doesn't seem like an easy fix.