Lack of Funding for Community Problems

A public park in North America

Those who work in their local communities for non-profits and other social service agencies are aware that lack of funding is a major concern. Some areas that have been affected include preventive health services, public parks, day care for children, human service agencies and higher education.

Health Care for Low-Income Families

The significance of health care for under-served populations is that it reduces emergency room visits and costly health problems such as premature births. This care includes pre-natal services, vaccination clinics and screening for chronic illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes. However, this is one area in which funding has become scarce. For example, in 2009, a Rhode Island state program that provided health care for low-income parents was significantly reduced.

Public Parks

Local city parks provide needed green space in urban cores, give youths healthy places to congregate, and bring revenue to city centers by attracting business patrons and tourists. The fiscal crisis of 2009, however, had a deep impact on city park systems. In Los Angeles, the fiscal year 2010 budget targeted cuts in funding to parks.

Day Care

Many single parents rely on subsidized day care services so they can afford to go to work every day. These programs ensure that children have a safe, supervised environment, which is all the more important for families living in high-crime, urban neighborhoods. In Cuyahoga County, Ohio, the fiscal year 2010 budget resulted in cuts to the Early Learning Initiative, which at its height served about 14,000 low-income children and their families.

Human Services Agencies

Human services agencies provide vital services such as counseling for drug and alcohol addiction, residential facilities for the elderly and support and advocacy for the mentally challenged. In 2009, many of these programs were cut in states such as Pennsylvania.

Higher Education

The role of higher education in a community is to provide opportunities for the next generation of citizens to find meaningful, productive work and to create an environment in which the community's values, resources and knowledge are preserved. In 2009, many institutions of higher education endured cutbacks due to the reality of budget concerns. Among these were colleges and universities in the state of California, which increased tuition by 32 percent.

References

• Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: "An Update on State Budget Cuts"; Nicholas Johnson, Phil Oliff and Erica Williams; May 25, 2010
• Los Angeles Times newspaper: "L.A. City Council Committee Outlines Drastic Budget Cuts"; Phil Willon; May 14, 2009
• Cleveland: "Ohio Budget Cuts Hurt Cuyahoga County Child-Care Program"; Marty Sterpka; Aug. 3, 2009
• Pennsylvania Office of the Budget: "Governor's Revised 2009-10 Budget: June 26, 2009"