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Get Moving On DCF Plan



 
 
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Old February 25th 04, 10:54 PM
wexwimpy
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Default Get Moving On DCF Plan

Get Moving On DCF Plan
February 24, 2004
You can't blame U.S. District Judge Alan Nevas for questioning the
state's commitment to what is supposedly a joint plan to improve the
state Department of Children and Families.
In the Feb. 4 introduction to his 2004-05 midterm budget adjustments
for DCF, Gov. John G. Rowland criticizes the plan as "at best
questionably attainable and at worst unrealistic." That is hardly an
incentive for the legislature to back more funds for improvements.
Mr. Rowland's grudging cooperation is at odds with his enthusiasm at
the time an agreement was forged last fall to get DCF out from under a
1991 court order. The agreement, which the governor called historic
back in October but which behaves a lot like receivership, put DCF in
the hands of a "team" including DCF Commissioner Darlene Dunbar,
budget secretary Marc Ryan and federal court monitor D. Ray Sirry.
Together, they were to forge a mutually acceptable exit plan. Judge
Nevas was to have the final word.
After signing off on the plan, the state called it unrealistic and
asked the judge to reconsider. The judge's final word earlier this
month was a resounding no.
The judge had little patience for the state's plight, going so far as
to suggest that at least one of its reasons for appeal was frivolous.
He said all parties were heard before the exit plan was presented to
the court and approved by the judge. He denied that it will force the
state to violate its spending cap. Any money needed for the
improvements, Judge Nevas said, could come from anywhere within the
budget but under the cap.
Still, this will require a reordering of priorities that may be
difficult for taxpayers to swallow. It is not reasonable for the court
to expect the state to write a blank check. DCF already has a whopping
annual allocation of about $600 million, with $51 million more
proposed. The team's challenge will be to find a way to meet the terms
of the exit plan by living within a reasonable budget and to avoid
subjecting taxpayers to unpalatable choices.
To his credit, Mr. Ryan said he would recommend there be no more
appeals of the exit plan. Both he and Ms. Dunbar pledge to work with
Mr. Sirry to meet the goals. That is all anyone can ask. It's time to
get on with it.
http://www.ctnow.com/news/opinion/ed...nes-editorials

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