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"We're expecting a cut in funding between 10 to 12%, which is a lot, as a result of the budget cuts for the groups that fund us," says Reach Center Executive Director Elsa Fitz-Maurice. "We usually get funds from the New York State Department of Health, Crime Victims Board, Department of Criminal Justice, and the Columbia [and] Greene youth bureaus. The money's just not there."
If the REACH Center cannot make up the shortfall and has to reduce its services, that could have a ripple effect, placing a greater call for services on the county Department of Social Services. But the head of the department says his agency can't handle an additional burden.
Amanda Thomas, the REACH Center's advocate at Columbia Greene Community College and its Columbia County school educator, says that demand for the center's services is on the rise. "We know how to tailor our services to the needs of the community, to help supervisors at schools recognize and deal with abuse, and there is a demand for that," says Ms. Thomas.
"Our case numbers have been going up dramatically in the past few years, and we expect this year to be our biggest. Last year alone we served 865 individuals. Some of the people we saw once, while some came in nearly every day or week and still do," she says.
The cuts cause Ms. FitzMaurice to worry about the center's ability to provide services that she believes are crucial. "We have a 24-hour hotline to provide immediate assistance to victims, fund a sexual abuse nurse at Columbia Memorial Hospital that is trained to recognize signs of sexual abuse, and much, much more," she says. "If funding is cut, the services and education programs will be cut, and our children will not learn how to be safe and protect themselves."
Paul Mossman, Commissioner of the Columbia County Department of Social Services, agrees that the cuts will hurt the community. "REACH is one of our main service providers for the victims of sexual assault," he says. "Any reduction in those services will be a disservice to those who are victims and put the demand on another [agency]."
He says the county Department of Social Services is not able to fill the gap in services, "and I don't know who is."
Mr. Mossman says his department "dodged a bullet" compared to the cuts hitting other agencies. "We've been able to maintain our status quo. But if they at REACH have to let go one person, with the services they provide, that will really impact us and services. We're all interrelated."
Director FitzMaurice hopes the REACH Center will able to offset the budget shortfall with private donations. Yet that will be a significant challenge, she says, considering that the REACH Center does not have an established donor network like many charitable organizations and is currently working overtime to build one in time for its annual budget. "People need to think locally when giving to charities," says Ms. Fitz-Maurice. "If everyone does that, then people you know will get the services they need. When you look at our programs and the people we help, how do you really cut any of them?"
To contact reporter Tadd Gero, email tgero@IndeNews.com.
