Public assistance program to resumeHuman Services Commission to take over grant distribution By Andy Paras (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
MONCKS CORNER — Help is on the way for Berkeley and Dorchester county residents who can't afford to pay for medicine, food or their utility bills. The Charleston County Human Services Commission plans to start serving low-income clients in those counties within two weeks, Deputy Director Reba Hough-Martin said Monday. The agency has agreed to take over the distribution of about $4 million in annual state grant money now that the Berkeley-Dorchester Counties Economic Development Corp. has relinquished control of the programs because of a $1.2 million deficit. Hough-Martin said the program that helps residents pay their energy bills has not been funded in Berkeley and Dorchester counties since April, while another that helps pay for rent and medicine has gone unfunded since July. "We want to get those programs up as soon as possible," Hough-Martin said. Past storiesTroubles leave payroll in doubt, published 08/23/08 EDC out of state money; Agency aids low-income citizens with energy bills, published 08/20/08 Head Start: Broke by October? Parents, board members upset with leadership, published 08/08/08 Head Start issues simmer, published 07/31/08 Head Start chief to vacate post, published 07/30/08 The change in agencies also is good news for 13 EDC employees who were supposed to be paid Friday but weren't because the agency ran out of funds. Hough-Martin said those employees will receive paychecks from her agency today. Levy Berry, chairman of the EDC board, said he believes an undisclosed number of federal Head Start employees were paid Friday as scheduled, though later in the day than usual, after some concern they wouldn't receive paychecks. Julia-Ellen Davis, director of the Head Start and Early Start programs, could not be reached for comment Monday. The Berkeley-Dorchester Counties Economic Development Corp. relinquished control of about $12 million in annual Head Start grants that benefit about 1,650 children in Berkeley, Dorchester and Charleston counties. That money and all of the local Head Start properties will be in control of a federally appointed agency by Sept. 1. School starts for those children and teachers Sept. 4. Hough-Martin said the Human Services Commission will need a couple of weeks to train employees and evaluate the existing facilities before they can start serving clients through the state-funded grants. She said they hope to know exactly when services will continue by the end of the week. The Human Services Commission also will take over a state-funded program that helps residents make household improvements to save on energy costs. News that the Charleston County Human Services Commission was taking over the state-funded programs was welcomed by other agencies, which say they are struggling in this economy to keep up with a growing need for help with food, medicine and utility bills. "It will certainly impact the whole county," said Beverly Tallent, Dorchester County service center director for Trident United Way. "There's not a lot of money out there. It's a real rough time of the year." Tallent and others said the problem was made worse by the EDC running out of funds. A state report released earlier this month showed the agency incurred debt of at least $1.2 million by repeatedly violating regulations governing how state and federal grants are spent. It found that some employees, including former Executive Director Patsy Gardner, who resigned this month, received large checks from the agency without justifying the withdrawals. Gov. Mark Sanford's office has forwarded the report to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Columbia and the FBI for a possible criminal investigation. Reach Andy Paras at 745-5891 or aparas@postandcourier.com. |
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Comments
This article has 24 comment(s)
Posted by auger on August 26, 2008 at 7:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Is this all being done with federal and state money? Who pays the salaries of the Chas. County Human Services Commission? These folks seem to pick and choose their causes.
They (CCHSC) own the vacant lot next to my house and it only gets mowed every 4-6 weeks. I received a code violation from NC in April, for overgrowth on our common fence line. I went to court and paid a $100 (reduced from $500) fine. Their side of the fence still hasn't been touched 4 months later. I guess the County is untouchable.
I realize that the previous paragraph sounds petty on my part, however, this could also happen to YOU!
Good choice of folks to supervise the wellbeing of others. They won't even take care of the assets they already control.
Posted by DoaMM on August 26, 2008 at 7:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I can see HELPING folks with food and medicine for a short period of time in certain circumstances, but I can't see utility bills and rent being paid from an organization without some sort of repayment plan like a tax free loan.
Maybe that's what they do but I'm pretty sure that some folks abuse this program by staying on it past the point when they become self sufficient.
Posted by UrGatorbait on August 26, 2008 at 8:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Gotta love big nanny gubmint. Wonder how many will come rollin' in on their "Dubs" or 4 kids in tow with one in the oven for "free" money?
Sad. This country is almost like europe now, free money for all.
Posted by blah_blah_blah on August 26, 2008 at 8:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Jane,
how is life from the negative side?
Why assume that they run their air conditions on high? Do you know for sure?
How do you know what kind of home improvements they need? I doubt it is for a new plasma screen t.v.
How do you know that they aren't "supposed" to be here? Do you know them personnally?
And if helping others less fortunate than me makes me an Obamaniac, then sign me up!
Posted by forget on August 26, 2008 at 9:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Helping those that have hit hard times I am ok with, but most of these people go from one handout counter to the next. They stay on the government payout roster their whole lives, and spawn more welfare recipients. Most of them have no intention of ever being self supporting.
Posted by ysillyme on August 26, 2008 at 9:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Something is stuck in my throat. Why is Chas. Co. helping residents of Berkley and Dorchester Cos.? Have we no people in need left here in our own county needing that kind of help? Color me confused.
Posted by blah_blah_blah on August 26, 2008 at 10:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
forget,
how do you know this?
ysillyme,
my thoughts exactly!
Posted by forget on August 26, 2008 at 11:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There are people living in gov't assisted housing that have been there for all their adult lives. Alot of them have numerous children. More children born while living in the assisted housing. They get free lunches at school, got the free school supplies last week, EBT cards for food, medicaid for the children's medical, etc. The term government assistance was supposed to be just that - assistance - not a means of supporting a person for the rest of their lives. A TEMPORARY thing.
I also have a friend that works at the unemployment office. She says it's the saddest place ever to work. Only about 1 out of 25 people that come in there a day are actually looking for a job. The other 24 people just want a check.
I can't believe that you think this way of life is acceptable. And worse yet, it is being passed down to the next generation. And if you want to keep paying for it, knock yourself out. I can tell you that I'm tired of going to work everyday to support my child AND a bunch of other people's children. A bunch of other people that can't be bothered to go get a J O B!
Posted by bigwhip on August 26, 2008 at 11:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
So we shift the management of the program to another inept group and the clock is ticking to see how long before the next scandal or outrage occurs. To what entity does the HSC report to? Do they get audited?
Posted by beth1070 on August 26, 2008 at 12:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Forget....I'm with you all the way my friend!
I am totally in favor of helping anyone who is truly in need, particularly the elderly and children. But these folks who live an "entitlement" way of life, sitting on their rumps just waiting for the next handout make me furious. We need some serious welfare reform or the people who are too sorry to even attempt to support themselves are going drain us all dry.
Posted by blah_blah_blah on August 26, 2008 at 1:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
if you guys don't want to pay taxes that help out the less fortunate, then feel free to move.
i'll gladly support those that need it. it wouldn't make any difference to me. my goal as a Christian is to help others, let God judge those that are taking advantage of the system.
"For it is easier for a camel to walk through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to get into Heaven."
Matthew 19:24
Posted by forget on August 26, 2008 at 1:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You said the key word - NEED. That's different than WANT. You seem to have them confused.
And since you think "God" has something to do with anything, "God helps those that help themselves". Chew on that for a while.
Posted by iceman1978 on August 26, 2008 at 2:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
forget, I don't understand how anyone could live that way. To me there is nothing as degrading as being dependant on someone else for what you need. Some people like that probably have genuine self-esteem issues, especially if they've grown up like that and don't know any different. If you grow up with no dad around, mom on welfare, and everyone you know is in the same boat then it takes a very strong person to rise above that. I don't have a problem helping those who really need it because sometimes things happen, but I agree that there are a lot who have an entitlement mentality and have no intention of being self-supportive.
Posted by forget on August 26, 2008 at 2:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I have no problem helping the individuals that need it, handicapped, veterans, elderly, even those that have handicapped children (not ADHD or ADD). Even those that have fallen on hard times, I think that we should help on a temporary basis. But a full evaluation of the welfare system is needed. And every individual that is receiving benefits of any kind needs to be evaluated, also. A time limit needs to be on the receiving of benefits. I think Va. has 2 years. Enough time to take some classes , learn a skill and get your life together. Then they need to find the fathers of the children and make them accountable for their support. The free ride needs to be over.
Posted by beth1070 on August 26, 2008 at 2:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As I said before, I have absolutely no problem whatsoever in helping out those who are truly in need, ESPECIALLY children and the elderly. But taking hard earned money from my pocket, and putting it in the hands of someone who is ABLE but not WILLING to support themselves or their children is nauseating, and it makes me very angry. When my husband and I were young newlyweds, and working our cans off to put each other through school, we more than qualified for all kinds of government assistance. But we were young and able bodied, and had an enormous amount of self respect (something that so many people lack these days), therefore we worked 2 and sometimes 3 jobs each in order to reach our goals.
Posted by forget on August 26, 2008 at 2:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Beth- You had a sense of pride. You wanted to accomplish something. You had goals in your life. All those things are missing from most of the welfare recipients.
Posted by beth1070 on August 26, 2008 at 2:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Blah-blah-blah....At face value, Matthew 19:24 appears to be saying that we should get rid of all our worldly possessions in order to get to Heaven. But when you read the entire chapter (or at least read a few of the previous verses) you will see that Jesus was trying to show His disciples that the rich man, who claimed that he followed all of the commandments, was not willing to do everything that Jesus asked of him. He was only willing to do those things that were convenient to him, as so many people who claim to be Christians are guilty of doing.
Posted by luvmydogs59 on August 26, 2008 at 3:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm disabled and waiting for a hearing for social security disability, which can take a couple of years. I have no income coming in and I live off my savings, which are quickly dwindling. I take quite a few medications, the cost of some that would curl your hair. I am not, nor have been, on any kind of assistance, but eventually I am going to have to apply for food stamps. I don't have children living with me (they are grown) so I know I won't be able to get any medical benefits and I wouldn't even try to ask about them.
This program would be a godsend for me and I hope that I can find out about it. It would have been nice if they had put contact information in the article. I try to be as self sufficient as I can, but as the money dwindles, I'm going to have to drop my pride and ask for help as a temporary measure until I can get my social security.
There am one who does not live the "assistance" life, but I'm grateful that there will be a program that may be able to tide me through for a while.
I detest people who make it a way of life!!
Posted by forget on August 26, 2008 at 3:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Try contacting the perosn that wrote the article. Maybe he can put you in contact with the person that he got his info from. I hope you get whatever you need. You may even be eligible for medical assistance. Depending on what your handicap is. I had a friend that developed ALS and it took a little while, but he was able to get what he needed.
Good luck.
Posted by luvmydogs59 on August 26, 2008 at 4:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
forget, thank you for your good wishes and I will try to contact the reporter and see what info he has. I have both a physical and psychological handicap. Maybe, with time, I can also get something similar to the benefit your friend received. If not, I'll be grateful for whatever I can get to tide me over.
Thanks again!
Posted by SCSIGirl2 on August 26, 2008 at 5:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
beth1070 - "you will see that Jesus was trying to show His disciples that the rich man, who claimed that he followed all of the commandments, was not willing to do everything that Jesus asked of him. He was only willing to do those things that were convenient to him, as so many people who claim to be Christians are guilty of doing." "Some" Christians may live this way, but not "many", please do not generalize and lump "many" of us in to a group, as I am a Christian but I do what I can not because I want to be "seen" as a good Christian, but because it's the RIGHT thing to do.
Posted by beth1070 on August 26, 2008 at 5:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
SCSIGirl2....I too am a Christian and very strong in my faith, and I recognize that I am not perfect, as none of us are. And yes, I do believe that there are MANY people who are Christians of convenience. If you have not encountered any of them then you should count yourself as lucky, as they are everywhere.
Posted by jeff61 on August 26, 2008 at 6:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Myabe there is some work from home computer stuff you could do for income? You seem to have a computer and know how to use. Maybe you could use that to your advantage??
Posted by beth1070 on August 26, 2008 at 7:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
C_Mikah_Kring...that's an interesting question, and when I get to Heaven I will ask the Lord about that. You of course can ask the devil about it because the Lord is not present where you seem to be headed.