Director's Desk

January 25, 2012          

Re:  Proposed NYS OCFS Budget

The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo
Governor of New York State
NYS State Capitol Building
Albany, NY 12224

Dear Governor Cuomo,

-by statute, the Runaway Homeless Youth Advisory Committee exists for Office of Children & Family Services

-for the record the 2011 Annual Report for Runaway Homeless Youth from OCFS is grossly inaccurate; Erie County Transitional numbers are left out, as is data from Westchester County left out.  It makes us look like we served no one

-I have been a voting member of the RHYA Committee for almost 18 years and have advocated/cried to OCFS, the Governor, and Legislature to stop CUTTING the OCFS Runaway Homeless Youth budget line in Youth Development

-the proposed 2012 figure brings our cut here to 60% since 2008, rather critical, but I am speaking for all Runaway Homeless Youth Programs in NYS, not merely The Franciscan Center, Buffalo

-the Transitional Independent Living Program in Niagara County has already closed due to the OCFS cuts

-as a member of the Board of Directors of the Empire State Coalition of Youth & Family Services, we met 11/3/11 in your office with key staff and a rep from Office of Budget spelling out clearly the urgency of the continued cuts to RHYA funding.  Clearly our voice was not heard

-We are told there is an additional $38 million in the current proposed budget for OCFS, but there is still a 25% cut to the Runaway Homeless Youth line.  WHY?

-Runaway Homeless Programs in NYS have been serving as the “Catch All, the Last Resort” for several years, caring for youth from all the other SILOS:  Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Juvenile Justice, etc., WITH NO FUNDING FROM ANY OF THESE NYS SILOS.  Our costs for caring for youth is way below any of these heavily funded SILOS and they get off free for our work.  WHY?  Without the Runaway Homeless Youth Programs our youth have the following  options:  the streets, jail, hospitals, and yes sometimes the morgue.  Is anyone listening?  Governor please restore Runaway Homeless Youth funding in the OCFS budget.

 

Sincerely,

 

Fr. Joseph Bayne, OFM Conv.

Executive Director

Runaway Homeless Advisory Committee to NYS OCFS

Board of Directors, Empire State Coalition of Youth & Family Services

 

November 2011

Fr. Joe and The Franciscan Center was mentioned in the WNY Metro, in an article titled "Humble Father Joe offers light out of the darkness".

Autumn 2011

Happy Fall to All. The pumpkins are about to be carved. I have to purchase the "treats" as we usually get a few hundred Trick or Treaters here at the Center; thank goodness we only decorate and give out goodies at one door. It's usually a big deal for the residents. HAPPY HALLOWEEN.

We are in the process of updating our Personnel Policies and will then tackle our Program Procedures Manual. As you can imagine, we are always a work in progress. I will be meeting with our Corporate Board, the Definitory/Provincial Council of St. Anthony of Padua Province on 10/25/11. Our Local Board Chair and Finance Chair, will present our Board's progress, my annual evaluation and self evaluation, our up to date financial overview, and our hopes for the future.

A local Buffalo Pastor, saw me recently. He spoke of one of our former residents from back in 2002, who is now married and recently registered his children at the parish school. Our former resident spoke fondly of his time with us here at the Center.

I often tell you of the ups and downs here, as I wish to be candid with you. I've used the John Denver song: "All this joy, all this sorrow," to capture the roller coaster of our emotions. I literally sit with the staff and we debrief over youth's cases that break our hearts. Recently within a day, two residents left, out of frustration and without much thought. One who is somewhat impetuous was reacting to the challenge from school to buckle down, stop walking out of class and get the job done. He literally needs to complete only one class for his high school diploma. He's now out there roaming without a home, as he's burned bridges with his family. The other young man, left over a silly cell phone. His legal issues could easily place him back in jail, since he is not in an approved safe place and program.

My role on the Advisory Committee for NYS Office of Children & Family Services brings me the need for rolaids and/or tums. The frustrations of those making decisions, policies, and funding decisions who are in the towers while we are working in the trenches, are heavy on my heart. Another 25% cut in NYC OCFS funding for 2012 has already been confirmed. With the 25% cut in 2011, need I tell you why I have to take seriously the Franciscan tradition of begging from wonderful benefactors like all of YOU!

Anyway, we take each day as it comes here. Each youth who comes to us is a name, not a number. We try to see the goodness in each one, Francis of Assisi challenged us to see the Creator in every creature.

Peace and all good things!

Fr. Joe