Governor gives budget recommendation

At the Boys and Girls Town of Missouri Emergency Center for Children, 1212 W. Lombard, Blunt said his budget recommendation will include a $2.9 million general revenue increase for the state’s residential treatment programs. The increase would draw an extra $3.6 million in federal funds, according to a news release from Blunt’s office.

The funding is in addition to the $2.75 million in new state and federal funding Blunt worked to secure for the centers last year.

Funds will be used to increase reimbursement rates to help narrow the difference between what it costs to provide residential treatment services for children with serious emotional issues and the fee paid by the state.

“There is a gap between what the state pays and what it costs to provide safe settings for at-risk children and permanent placement for children who cannot return home,” Blunt said in the release. “My budget takes an important and much-needed step to close that gap.”

Residential treatment programs offer long-term or permanent care for minors in state custody. Some of the largest providers to the state are Boys and Girls Town of Missouri, Edgewood Children’s Center, The Ozanam House and Epworth.