Enhancing Services

Tough economic times like these provide a double whammy – the number of people who desperately need help increases dramatically at the same time that government budgets are squeezed by decreasing revenues.

Government needs to figure out how to use their limited funds most effectively.  Often the solution is to partner with well-managed non-profits who can provide services far more cost-effectively than government entities.    For example, in Anne Arundel County, Partners in Care does a wonderful job taking the elderly to doctor’s appointments and helping them with minor household repairs.  Centro de Ayuda provides medical, educational and legal help to over six thousand Latinos annually.   The Community Action Agency runs Head Start programs crucial to preparing low-income children for school and helps individuals whose heat is about to be turned off.  

Unfortunately, all of these organizations have had their funding severely cut or eliminated by Anne Arundel County in the last four years.   Grant funding for local non-profits has been cut from $4.88 million in FY 2007 to $1.15 million in FY 2011, putting many of the county’s most effective non-profits at risk of closing their doors.  

The county should be encouraged to use lean government principles to cut spending elsewhere in the budget so that it can return to funding these efficient service providers.   We can all help by donating directly to the nonprofits  making such a difference in our community.