Stark County Children Services Seeks Levies Approval to Combat Rising Child Placement Costs
As the May 6 primary election approaches, Stark County Children Services is urging voters to support a replacement levy aimed at addressing the escalating costs associated with child placements. The proposed 1.4-mill levy is set to replace an expiring levy from 2019, and officials assert it is crucial for funding the care of abused, neglected, and delinquent children in the county.
The deputy director of Children Services, Tricia Mayle, highlighted a startling increase in child placement costs since the last levy was approved. “Since our last levy was on the ballot in 2019, our placement costs have almost doubled,” she stated, noting that expenditures have surged from $4.5 million in 2019 to an estimated $9.7 million in 2025. This significant rise in costs can largely be attributed to the fees charged by service providers, which have skyrocketed in recent years.
Jerry Coleman, executive director of Job & Family Services, explained the strain this places on the agency. “Skyrocketing placement costs, which are beyond our control, are the most significant driver to cost,” he remarked. The per diem rates for group home placements have risen by an astonishing 75% since 2019, while costs for residential placements have escalated by 62%.
Given the challenges in placing children in safe environments, the process begins with an attempt to place the child with a relative or other safe adult known to them. If this is not feasible, the agency seeks out foster homes, and as a last resort, group and residential placements. The rising costs associated with these placements have been a difficult hurdle for the agency, prompting the need for renewed funding through the proposed levy.
“This is disheartening because these are our most vulnerable kids, and they need the help,” Mayle commented, highlighting the agency’s commitment to supporting the welfare of children in Stark County.
If approved, the replacement levy would incur an annual cost of $49 for homeowners with properties valued at $100,000, an increase from the current levy cost of $31 per year for similar home valuations. This change aligns with new home valuations assigned during a recent reappraisal. The existing Children Services levy generates around $12.68 million, while the new levy is projected to generate approximately $18.73 million, which would cover 35% to 40% of the agency’s budget.
In an average year, Stark County Children Services sees about 495 children in custody, with numbers fluctuating between a low of 471 and a high of 522. The additional funds from the proposed levy would also support various initiatives, including efforts to promote kinship placements, which currently involve approximately 153 children each month. By prioritizing kinship placements, the agency aims to keep children closer to their families, thereby fostering stability and support within the community.
The importance of such placements cannot be overstated. Coleman emphasized the positive impact of supporting kinship placements, stating, “We believe that the importance we place on supporting kinship placements and making every attempt to keep children closer to their homes has had a positive impact within our community.”
In addition to covering placement costs, the levy would help fund short-term placements and aid in addressing other expenses incurred on behalf of the children, such as medical needs and clothing purchases. Mayle articulated the agency’s mission, stating, “Our main focus is child safety and family well-being, so we work really hard to help families achieve that.”
The agency’s last resort is to remove a child from their home; this action is only taken in serious cases where safety cannot be ensured. Children Services strives to work closely with families to ensure they have the necessary support to care for their children.
Coleman expressed gratitude for the community’s ongoing support, noting the positive response from residents towards the agency’s work. “We have found the Stark County community responds positively to the important work we do,” he said. By providing accurate information about their efforts, they aim to bolster community awareness and support for the agency’s mission.
As the election nears, Stark County Children Services and its supporters hope to rally the community to approve the replacement levy, ensuring that essential services for the county’s most vulnerable children can continue.
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