2017 Governor's State of the State speeches: on Families & Children
John Bel Edwards:
Family Services placed 735 kids in foster homes despite cuts
Thanks to the hard work of the Department of Children and Family Services, 735 Louisiana foster children found permanent homes last year--the most of any year on record.
The DCFS team accomplished this feat despite the fact that the DCFS has faced deep cuts over the last several years, with fewer employees working longer hours.
Source: 2017 Louisiana State of the State address
Apr 10, 2017
John Kasich:
CATCH court: prostitutes are victims of human trafficking
All these ladies are coming into Judge Paul Herbert's court. He's checking them out and putting them all in jail. They find out they've been human trafficked. They're prostitutes because they have a pimp who is out there putting them out on the street.
Drugging them, beating them, all horrible things we can imagine. So the judge is the founder and driving force in Franklin County's CATCH court. Changing Actions to Change Habits. He began to realize that these people were not criminals.
They were not defendants--they were victims. And they should not be subjected to criminal punishment from which they may never recover. His CATCH court diverts these victims into a two-year program that may include residential detox therapy, treatment
for depression and other mental illness, and they can get help to find employment. And best of all, when they graduate, they have the opportunity to have their convictions dismissed and their records sealed. He has helped 200 women get assistance.
Source: 2017 Ohio State of the State address
Apr 5, 2017
John Carney:
Re-establish the Family Services Cabinet Council
A strong economy and good-paying jobs go a long way toward making most families stable and healthy. But for too many Delaware families--and far too many of our state's children--a growing economy is not enough. These families, these kids, need our help.
That's why I've re-established the Family Services Cabinet Council, which meets for the first time next week. Many Delaware families continue to face significant challenges--including the high cost of child care; violence and poverty in their
neighborhoods; the impact of caring for an aging family member; or the challenges of navigating an economy in transition.The Family Services Cabinet Council will spearhead a new effort to coordinate public and private services that are often
fragmented. The Council will propose changes to current programs to improve the delivery of state services. We will tackle the hardest problems. I will chair this Council myself, and my cabinet secretaries will be engaged personally.
Source: 2017 Delaware State of the State address
Mar 30, 2017
Matt Bevin:
Czar to overhaul state foster care and adoption programs
He promised to appoint a "czar" to overhaul the state's foster care and adoption programs, saying they will become a model for the rest of the nation. "If you are going to be a foster child anywhere in this country,
you are going to want to be a foster child in Kentucky," Bevin said. Bevin also listed people he doesn't want to live in Kentucky, saying the justice system must crack down on people who "abuse the system," drug dealers,
people who don't respect law enforcement and "deadbeat Dads." In particular, he said he will focus on increasing the amount of money counties collect from what he called "deadbeat dads," pointing out that
Lee County only collects 29 percent of their child support money while Morgan County, which collects the highest percentage, collects 78 percent.
Source: 2017 Kentucky State of the State address
Feb 8, 2017
Larry Hogan:
Pass the Common Sense Paid Sick Leave Act
For the last few years, there has been a great deal of discussion and debate in these chambers around the issue of sick leave in Maryland. Employees without this benefit are sometimes faced with hard choices about their health and welfare,
like whether to risk showing up to work sick or not receiving a paycheck. Let's strike a compromise, considering the needs of Maryland employees while not hurting our small business job creators.Let's work together to pass the
Common Sense Paid Sick Leave Act of 2017, which requires larger companies to provide paid sick leave and encourages small businesses to offer paid sick leave by giving them tax incentives to offset the costs of providing those additional benefits.
In this way, we can provide even more employees the benefit without hurting the small business owners and without causing the loss of jobs.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Maryland Legislature
Feb 1, 2017
Greg Abbott:
Reform Child Protective System or more children will die
The primary goal of government is to keep its citizens safe and secure. That goal is even more important when it comes to our children. You will cast thousands of votes this session. Few will involve life or death decisions. Your vote on CPS is one of
them. Last year, more than 100 children died in our Child Protective System. You can vote to end that. We can reform the system so that no more children die in it.We need more workers, with better training, smarter strategies and real accountability
to safeguard our children. While improving child safety in CPS, we must also remain vigilant in protecting parental rights. We must remember that the best place for a child, if at all possible, is with their parents. We also need to develop a Network
of Nurture. We need a legion of families in every county who can open their homes and open their hearts to fostering our vulnerable children. Do not underfund this rickety system only to have it come back and haunt you.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Texas Legislature
Jan 31, 2017
Bruce Rauner:
Created the Governor's Cabinet on Children and Youth
We created the Governor's Cabinet on Children and Youth, bringing together all state agencies that serve our children to ensure that Illinois' young people are healthy, safe, well-educated and on the road to becoming self-sufficient. The commitment,
cooperation and effective problem solving among the agencies involved is extraordinary; in partnership with external partners in the private sector, they will make Illinois a better place for all children.Working with the Illinois State Board of
Education, local high schools, community colleges and local employers, our youth Cabinet is striving to expand vocational training and apprenticeship programs for all our high school students so each of them has a clear path to an attractive career.
Another critical initiative of the Children's Cabinet is reducing young children's exposure to lead. Democrats and Republicans stood together in signing a bill that requires all schools and day care centers to test their drinking water regularly.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Illinois Legislature
Jan 25, 2017
Phil Scott:
$800,000 for Guardians ad Litem for kids of drug addicts
We now have an entire generation of young Vermonters suffering the effects of their parents' drug use. We owe it to all of them--to make this right. We need to learn more, and find better ways to support these kids, and their families. As a start,
I have invested nearly $800,000 to support the Guardian ad Litem program, and other services, so we have more trusted professionals advocating for the best interests of these children.I know many dedicated legal advocates, counselors, families and
teachers have been fighting for these kids behind the scenes for years. It's time to bring their needs, stories and challenges forward, and work together to give these kids the opportunities they deserve. That's why I will charge the Director of Drug
Prevention Policy; the Opiate Coordination Council; the Agency of Education; and the Agency of Human Services with finding solutions for these kids. We cannot let this go unaddressed on our watch. We must not, and we will not, fail these children.
Source: 2017 Vermont State of the State address
Jan 25, 2017
Phil Scott:
$7.5 million for Child Care Financial Assistance
My budget directs $7.5 million of this to the Child Care Financial Assistance Program. I'm also proposing investment in competitive grants supporting early care and pre-K. We'll invest $1 million in full-day pre-K programs for high-poverty kids.
And propose a $600,000 grant for the development of a model that helps childcare providers share services.[In the school budget], I'm proposing we increase investment in early care and pre-K by $9.6 million.
Source: 2017 Vermont State of the State address
Jan 25, 2017
Steve Bullock:
Don't cut workers from Child and Family Services Division
It doesn't make sense to me that you have proposed to cut workers from our Child and Family Services Division--the people on the front lines of helping kids in harm's way; or that you would propose
to slash the funding to community nursing homes, that care for those depending on our help.
It also doesn't make sense to me, or to most Montanans, that someone making $9 dollars an hour pays the same tax rate as someone making $250 dollars an hour--especially when the alternative is to cut vital services for our citizens.
Increasing the top tax rate for any income over a half a million dollars, and other modest revenue proposals before you, are fair. I ask that you give them fair consideration--and then pass them.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Montana Legislature
Jan 24, 2017
Eric Greitens:
Let parents decide how to spend special needs funding
We need to make sure that every child in Missouri, especially those kids with special needs, get a fair shot at the American Dream. I will work with you to implement Education Savings Accounts for children with special needs. Education Savings Accounts
are simple. Kids with special needs have IEPs, individualized education plans. With education savings accounts, parents are able to use their fair share of state education money in a way that fits with what their kids need.
Arizona was the first state in the country to try these accounts, and the program has been a success. Parents are much happier with their children's educations, and children are able to get the kind of education that meets their needs.
Special needs families know their children best. And it is time we gave control back to those parents, to select the best possible education for their children.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Missouri Legislature
Jan 17, 2017
Gina Raimondo:
Pass modern, common-sense paid sick leave laws
Let's make sure people have a fair shot by allowing them a day off if they're sick or their kid's sick. It's time to give every Rhode Islander an opportunity to earn paid leave if they're sick or if they need to care for a sick child or parent.
Our neighbors across most of New England and in states across the country--states run by Democrats and Republicans--have passed or introduced modern, common-sense paid sick leave laws. Let's do the same thing here in Rhode Island.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Rhode Island Legislature
Jan 17, 2017
Phil Bryant:
$34M for new Department of Child Protection Services
Last year I made a bold request of this Legislature and its leadership to create a new state agency for the singular purpose of managing our foster care system. For almost a decade Mississippi has been under a federal court mandate to improve the
way we care for our foster children. The reality is we did little to improve this system until you agreed to create the Department of Child Protection Services and invest $34 million into improving the effort.
Today we are serving more foster children than ever. The most innocent among us who have struggled with neglect and abuse are receiving proper care.
The improvements were sufficient in this first year as to compel the federal court to allow a less restrictive set of requirements and remove Mississippi from the oversight of a court monitor for the first time since 2008.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Mississippi Legislature
Jan 17, 2017
Peter Ricketts:
More resources for Child and Family Services
Our first task is to adjust the current year budget to bring it to balance. But behind the numbers are people's lives. Our agencies and programs are designed to serve our citizens--and many of them are people in need.
With this in mind, my proposal provides more resources for Child and Family Services, invests in education, protects reforms in Corrections, and balances the budget without raising taxes.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Nebraska Legislature
Jan 12, 2017
Nathan Deal:
19% pay raise for Family and Children Services
Selfless public service and dedication are not confined to any one agency of state government. They are replete in our state workforce, including the Division of Family and Children Services (DFACS). My budget proposal includes, on average, a
19 percent pay raise for DFCS caseworkers so that we can both ensure a competitive salary for those who fill these vital roles and so that we can recruit and retain the best possible candidates to look after the safety of our youngest and most
vulnerable citizens.That same desire to attract and retain quality public servants extends throughout the state workforce, which is why I recommended and this legislative body approved a 3 percent allocation for a merit,
recruitment and retention pay increase for state employees last year. My FY2018 budget proposal also accentuates this positive with another increase of a 2 percent allocation.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Georgia Legislature
Jan 11, 2017
Asa Hutchinson:
More funding for foster children
Let's not leave anyone behind, and that is why I am asking your support for a higher level of funding, also, for our foster children in Arkansas. We need to improve the system. We need to adequately provide for our foster children that are in our care.
We need to address their needs, and hopefully, provide a way out and restore family relationships. But we need to provide the additional funding that is being requested in the budget.
Source: 2017 Arkansas State of the State address
Jan 10, 2017
Andrew Cuomo:
Middle Class Child Care Tax Credit for 200,000 families
I propose a Middle Class Child Care Tax Credit--more than 200,000 families will see their tax benefits more than double on average. A Middle Class Recovery Act will impact the entire state, but we need to think regionally. Why? Because the old approach
to economic development was to have one plan for the whole state. We don't really have one economy in the whole state. Long Island is different than the North Country. What you really need to do is focus region by region and develop regional economies.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to New York Legislature
Jan 9, 2017
Doug Ducey:
Automatically screen all babies for SCID
Every year, babies across the country are born with Severe Combined Immuno Deficiency--SCID. It's a rare genetic disorder that if not detected and treated early, is deadly. A baby born in Arizona today is automatically screened for a number of diseases--
but not for SCID. Let's change that, by adding SCID to the list. We have the power to save these precious human lives. So let's act with urgency.All of us who are blessed to be parents know the joy a child brings into our lives.
Not to the mention the late nights. The bond between a newborn baby and its mother is uniquely special. [Some programs] allow new moms and dads to bring their babies to work the first six months.
The results have been impressive, and we plan to expand it even more. It's a win-win-win--increased productivity, quality employees less likely to leave state service, and most important--happy babies.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Arizona Legislature
Jan 9, 2017
Doug Ducey:
Grandmother Stipend: fund foster care for relatives
I want to acknowledge the community and faith-based organizations who participate in our state's revolutionary prevention model--the care portal. These organizations help hundreds of families in crisis by lending a helping hand when one is
desperately needed.And in cases where the state must intervene, we are seeing some positive trends. For the first time in seven years: More children are leaving the care of the state, than entering it.
Our foster families are the unsung heroes in this tragedy. [Sometimes] aunts, uncles, grandfathers and grandmothers, who raise these children as their own. This is often a better option for a child than going to an unfamiliar family.
But unlike other foster families, these family members receive little assistance for taking in their nephew or grandchild. So let's change that, with a "Grandmother Stipend"--providing these families with resources to raise these children.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Arizona Legislature
Jan 9, 2017
Robert Bentley:
Fund treatment for low-income children with Autism Spectrum
In 65 of Alabama's 67 counties we have a shortage of doctors; Alabama ranks 40th in the number of physicians per capita.. Last year we took action to stop rising rates of preventable and manageable disease, especially among, rural, low-income counties.
By expanding and increasing funding for loan-repayment programs for healthcare providers we have taken action to increase the number of doctors serving in the state's poorest counties.Having practiced medicine for 35 years, and having seen the needs
of patients in some of the most impoverished areas of our state, I can tell you a good doctor in a small, rural community, changes a community and it saves lives.
We will increase funding for Alabama's low-income children and youth so they
may have access to home-based services and treatment of psychiatric, emotional and behavioral disorders. In addition, we will increase funding for treatment for Alabama's low-income children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Alabama Legislature
Feb 7, 2016
Tom Wolf:
Improve home-based & community-based senior care services
Just as Pennsylvanians make their children a top priority, so, too, are aging parents, aunts and uncles a top priority for all of us. I listened to seniors all across our Commonwealth. They told me that they very much appreciated how often politicians
came to see them, but that they'd prefer real action on improving senior services.That's why one of the first initiatives I announced as Governor was to improve home-based and community-based care services, so that more seniors could have more
options for getting the care they needed without having to move out of their homes. And it's why, when health insurers threatened to kick 180,000 seniors off their health plans, we stepped in and took those insurance companies to court to make sure
that their coverage stayed in place.
Just this past year, we distributed more than $2 million in lottery proceeds to 43 senior community centers. And we made it easier for struggling seniors to get assistance purchasing nutritious food.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Pennsylvania Legislature
Feb 7, 2016
Page last updated: Dec 10, 2018