June 7, 1999
Statement Of Mayor Anthony A. Williams On Governance For New Non-Profit Children's Fund
"I am asking the Council to adopt legislation that substantially changes how the District provides support to children. I am asking them to approve language that will allow neighborhood-based nonprofits -- not District agencies -- to meet the needs of our young people through the Children and Youth Investment Trust, funding for which was included in the consensus budget.
"Over the years, we have pumped billions of dollars into government-run children's programs aimed responding to crisis driven needs. The result? Our city ranks 51st in the nation in infant mortality, 51st in the nation in child poverty, and 51st in the nation in reduction of teen birth rates.
"Clearly, the old ways of doing business have failed. It is time to try something new. Other jurisdictions have enjoyed tremendous success when they have partnered with community-based organizations to deliver services directly to children. It is a more flexible and efficient approach than a government bureaucracy can achieve.
"Also at issue is whether the funds should be geared toward an expensive problem-oriented approach that tries to rehabilitate children after they have lost their way, or instead should be invested in after-school and other programs that prevent problems from developing in the first place.
"The District government currently spends more than $1.5 billion on human services, much of it aimed at programs that react to the problems of our children -- abuse, neglect, poor health care, juvenile crime and low achievement in schools. I am asking for one percent of that amount to be spent on prevention, in a community-based approach. In a budget of more than $5.5 billion, $15 million isn't too much to ask for to put our children on a path to success.
"I call on our elected officials to join me in ushering in a new day for the children of the District. I believe the Councilmembers share my commitment to children, it is simply a matter of the willingness to try something new.
"Sometimes people want a risk-free solution. They won't find one. If we want to turn the situation around and do right by our children, we need a new approach. We need to be willing to take a risk-a calculated risk.
"Some Councilmembers have asked me to submit legislation from the government to prescribe, in considerable detail, what programs the money will fund and to legislatively inoculate ourselves against all possible risk. This runs against the whole notion of a community-based approach. The great potential of this proposal is that it is not a top down, government driven program, but a bottom up approach that benefits from the experience and good judgment of our community providers.
"I am committed to working with the Council to answer any concerns they have, and I will not convey any funds to the non-profit until they demonstrated that they will spend the money in a way that best meets the needs of children and reflects the will of the community. I will insist on performance and outcome measures that hold the nonprofits accountable.
"This is a sound proposal. It has tremendous potential. It should be given a chance to work for the sake of our children."
