The more League members learned, the more we found there was to learn. The system is incredibly complex, serving hundreds of thousands of children across the state. The services are as diverse as the state itself, with each county developing its own programs yet regulated and funded by state and federal monies. Each part of the system is to various degrees related to all the other parts, although this is not always reflected in policy decisions or funding. Mandates, incentives, etc., from state and federal government often work out differently than intended in the real world of county government.
Decisions made by someone in one branch of the system affect children being served by other areas.
For example, a decision by a judge to incarcerate a parent can throw the lives of her children into turmoil. We trust it will be helpful to policymakers and advocates as they strive to do what is best for all our children. Programs that show significant promise in the pilots spoken of here are good examples of wisdom from long ago. As you read you will be reminded of other age-old proverbs. The studies highlighted for you in this Voter show that early intervention in the lives of at-risk children is more apt to assure success in keeping children out of further trouble.