The resilience exhibited by children and youth in the District should be recognized as a significant achievement. Too many young people in DC grow up with few positive adult male and female role models; neighborhoods bereft of caring, nurturing adults; and well outfitted outlets for youth curiosity and learning.But with the changes being proposed in the TANF program, this adaptation to life circumstances may be turned on its head. Some young people have reported to community-based service providers that they have stolen food to put on the family dinner table.
What currently restrains many young people to adhere to the laws may be severely tested if, in fact, households receiving welfare are sanctioned as the mayor proposes and apparently the City Council supports.
There is an argument currently being made against the TANF changes proposed by Mayor Fenty as part of his FY 2010 revised budget. I will leave the technicalities to those who understand the intricacies of the program far better than I. What I will comment on, though, is that children and youth cannot bear the brunt of any changes that will negatively affect their well being.
Research shows that child abuse and neglect increases as the economy worsens. And we are seeing first hand the risks children will take to put food on the table because the adults in the household cannot find work. It is not as though other parts of the budget can rescue TANF families – cuts are being made across the board.
Yes, people should be responsible and accountable. If parents are on TANF, they should do what they are supposed to. But what about the responsibility and accountability of the government to fully implement federally allowed TANF program exemptions and programs to support the hardest to train and employ? Doing this would provide the basics for children and youth.
On the campaign trail and at non-budget times, elected officials talk about how important children and youth are . . . that that young people of the District are our future, that we must protect children at all costs. Hollow statements all when basic services are being cut left and right.
Times are tough and the pain must be shared. But children and youth, the poorest in the nation, have endured quite enough pain.