Yesterday, May 26, I attended a meeting of agencies who are tasked with coordinating services in our county for children ages 0-5 years of age.  By and large, it was a good meeting, with a great discussion going on how to find approximately $75,000 to keep staffing levels current so that services for this critical age are not depleted.  This center assesses children between the critical ages of 0-5 who have been referred to them by schools, social services, parents, care-givers, foster parents and others who perceive at-risk behaviors.  After the initial assessment, the children are either referred to an outside agency that has the capability of providing the necessary services for the child, or in the case of children whose birth mothers abused alcohol or other illicit drugs while pregnant with the child, in-house treatment.  These substances can cause significant disruption in the dynamics of brain development.  Our Children’s Assessment Center (CAC) has the unique capability of treating these children in-house.  The children whose birth mothers abused alcohol often suffer from what is called Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, or FASD, but with early intervention can achieve remarkable results with our specialized treatment services.

During the meeting, however, I became very angry.  Exxon/Mobile paid no taxes in the State of California last year, nor did many other corporations.  Our Governor, Jerry Brown, wants to put a ballot measure before the public to enable the people to vote on raising taxes on both corporations and the wealthy.  Enough members of the State Legislature will not vote to allow him to do that.  At the same time the US Supreme Court has ordered California to release prisoners from prisons because of overcrowding.  Some of these prisoners will end up in our county jail, which is already overcrowded, and will cost the county several million dollars which we simply cannot afford.  At the same time, we are scrounging for a measly $78,000.00 to help these children who, if not helped, will surely end up in our jails and prisons.  One of the results of FASD in older children and adults is impulsive behavior.  They will just up and do something for no logical reason.  It has been estimated that for every dollar spent during this critical 0-5 age group, $3.50 to $17.00 is saved in required services, including jails and prisons, during the lifetime of the person.  Sometimes those old clichés are totally accurate – An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Where in the name of all that’s Holy have our priorities gotten so screwed up that we value the obscene profits and incomes of corporations and the wealthy over the needs of children, especially these who are so vulnerable.  There is not one religion or major philosophy which would excuse such behavior.  These children are not responsible for their problems, nor of an age where they can “get a job”.    

We should be completely ashamed!