Unity Care News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Foster Children of Color Harmed by County Politics
San Jose, Calif., (June 15, 2012) On Tuesday, June 19, 2012 at 9:00 a.m., the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors will vote to cut services and further harm foster children of color served by Unity Care's Wraparound program. Unity Care urges the community to take action and stand for fairness and equality on behalf of these foster children who are already overrepresented in the foster care system. African American and Latino children only make-up 2.2% and 32% of the County's general population, but represent 13% and 62% of the children in the County's foster care system.
The County has underfunded Unity Care's Wraparound Program, which specifically serves African American and Latino children and families who are at high-risk of being further entrenched into the foster care system. The County currently reimburses two other Wraparound providers at the full rate, while reimbursing Unity Care at only half (50%) of that rate for the same exact services.
Andr� Chapman, President and CEO of Unity Care said, "The County is sending a very clear message to our community, that foster children and families of color are simply NOT IMPORTANT. This is another attempt by the County to balance its budget on the backs of African American and Latino children and families served by Unity Care's Wraparound Program."
The Board of Supervisors will hold its last budget hearing at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 19th at 70 West Hedding Street, San Jose, CA 95110. Unity Care urges the community to take a stand and advocate against this unjust and unequal treatment. Contact the County Board of Supervisors to:
- DEMAND that the County NOT reduce Unity Care's current funding as this will further harm and diminish the services delivered to African American and Latino children and families, and jeopardize the program's viability.
- DEMAND that the County increase the number of children served by Unity Care from 24 to 36, enabling Unity Care to maintain its vital services, just as the other providers have done.
- DEMAND that the County reimburse Unity Care for expenses incurred over the past three years due to funding Unity Care's vital work at half the rate given to the other providers.
ABOUT UNITY CARE
Founded in 1992, Unity Care Group, Inc. is a community-based non-profit youth and family development agency. Founded with the goal of developing educational and social programs to enrich the lives of at-risk youth, our mission is to provide quality youth and family programs for the purpose of creating healthier communities through lifelong partnerships. For more information contact Linda Vu, Communications and Development Specialist, at (408) 510-3480 or via email at [email protected] or visit www.unitycare.org.
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