Mercedes Lopez

I have been employed with the Department of Human Services, Child Welfare for 17 of my 23 professional years in this industry. I am currently assigned to the Gresham Branch where I serve the people of Oregon as a Certifier. It is my job to make certain that children entering the foster care system are safe in our foster homes whether those be placement with relatives or a general applicant.

We are seeing the effects of the economic crisis daily. Our already heavy workloads have increased two-fold. On top of more families in need we are faced with the possibility of devastating cuts in resources. I am fearful that children and families will be left behind if the legislature cuts resources such as alcohol & drug abuse treatment program, abuse intervention programs, shelters, and money for direct services that help these families succeed.

On a positive note, I am thankful we are seeing more families come forward to open their hearts and their homes to provide foster care for our children who have been impacted by abuse and/or neglect. Sadly, if the legislature does not find ways to increase revenue to provide these families with adequate resources to care for the children, we will not have enough certified foster families to take care of our children.

My colleagues and I have dedicated our lives to improving the lives of these children. Furloughs or layoffs of state workers will not help solve the state’s budget crisis. It will create more of a whirlwind for our clients, leaving a devastating tornado in its wake. Why you ask. Because the families we help are dependent on our assistance. A family in need of an emergency assistance grant can’t wait that extra hour, let alone that next day to feed their children.

Cutting vital services to people who desperately need them won’t get us through this crisis. In fact, those short-term cuts will only lead to more desperation and even more expensive costs for the state. We need the legislature to find long-term solutions to ensure that children and families aren’t further victimized by this crisis.