Catholic Charities to see cuts without contracts

Catholic Charities to see cuts without contracts

By Doug Finke

SPRINGFIELD – Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Springfield will lose half of its revenue if the state cancels its foster care and adoption contracts with the agency.

That's just one of the consequences outlined by executive director Steven Roach in court documents filed by Catholic Charities agencies associated with the Springfield, Peoria, Belleville and Joliet dioceses.

The agency employs about 190 people throughout the diocese. Losing the foster care and adoption services contracts would cause the agency to terminate "all or nearly all" of the 80 staff members working for those services. That includes caseworkers, case aides, therapists, counselors and managers, he said

Over the last five years, Catholic Charities has spent more than $1.4 million to buy and improve buildings and equipment throughout the diocese to continue its programs.

"While we may be able to recoup some of these costs, Catholic Charities will suffer substantial losses in any attempted 'fire sale' of those assets," Roach said in the documents.

Click on the following to read the entire article: http://www.nwherald.com/2011/09/20/catholic-charities-to-see-cuts-without-contracts/ayhygig/