In an article about the Joel Steinberg case I referenced new sources about cuts states and the federal government have made in funding child abuse prevention programs. Is there a difference on the stances of this issue between the two major candidates for U.S. President in 2004? Let's see.
Current Status
Statements on the issue from the Bush/Cheney website and the Kerry/Edwards websites:
Kerry/Edwards: John Kerry will support programs such as the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, and expand the primary federal child welfare program to include prevention services rather than just placements after the abuse or neglect has occurred.
Bush/Cheney: Believe it or not, I couldn't find any mention of child abuse prevention funding at the Bush/Cheney website. If you can find something, please email me and I'll include it in this issues statement. I searched at GOP.com and GeorgeBush.com for 'child abuse' and the only matches were stories about drug abuse.
History
President Bush's funding proposals:
- 2001: Budget Request $100 million less than authorized
- 2002: Funding for the (child abuse prevention) program would be reduced from $34 million in FY2001 to $18 million for FY2002.
- 2003: Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act programs frozen at 2002 funding levels.
- 2004: Funding remains level. Under the President's budget, funding for several other child welfare programs would continue at current levels, including Child Welfare Services (Title IV-B, Subpart I), $292 million; Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) state grants, $22 million...
Senator Kerry's statements and votes on child abuse prevention:
- Kerry supports expansion of federal child welfare program:
Kerry will make preventing instances of abuse and neglect a major priority. Kerry will support programs such as the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, and expand the primary federal child welfare program to include prevention services rather than just placements after the abuse or neglect has occurred. - Voted for Dodd Amendment:
Dodd Amdt. No. 415; To increase funding for after-school programs to the levels promised by the No Child Left Behind Act to serve 1.6 million more children in FY 2004 and to increase funding for Head Start to serve 80 percent of eligible 3 and 4 year olds and increase the number of infants and toddlers served and for deficit reduction. AMENDMENT REJECTED