County Plans To Dissolve Child Welfare Board

Another El Paso County department is on the chopping block as county commissioners look to trim even more money from its budget.

“When you work directly with the foster children, you see how great their needs are and you see that it just takes so many of us to meet those needs,” said Elizabeth Muller, community specialist for the county’s Child Protective Services department.

County commissioners are looking to save $108,000 by dissolving the volunteer board tasked with finding money and resources for El Paso’s foster children.

“Very difficult budgets mean very difficult decisions,” said El Paso County Commissioner, Veronica Escobar. “We’ve got to tighten our belts a little bit and make some sacrifices, and that’s where a lot of the advocates will play an even bigger role.”

But foster parents said they are already stretched thin.

“I take them to school. I drop them off. I pick them up. I feed them. I clothe them,” foster parent, Nancy Palencia said. “Some of these kids come with just the clothing on their back.”

Last year, the county contributed $143,000 for clothing reimbursements. This year, commissioners cut that funding by more than a third, putting aside just $100,000.

“These are our kids,” Palencia said. “These are the community kids that we have in our homes and I think the community should step up and help us.”