Morristown Child Advocate Sees 'Perfect Storm' Amid Cuts
MORRISTOWN, NJ—The budget introduced by Gov. Phil Murphy this week includes millions in cuts to county Child Advocacy Centers, who say abuse cases across the state are increasing.
"It really is the perfect storm," said Maria Vinci Savettiere, executive director of Deidre's House, a Child Advocacy Center in Morristown whose funding was cut. "Our referrals are going through the roof, and now we have no money from the state."
Savettiere said $4.5 million previously designated to be split between the 21 centers in the state has been slashed from the budget. She added that cases are rising in the state because children who were isolating with their abusers now can leave the house and disclose to others.
"This is really the worst time to cut services to children," Savettiere said. "I realize the state is in a terrible budget shortfall, but we're talking about a drop in the bucket."
Deirdre's House is designated one of 21 Child Advocacy Centers in New Jersey. The facility provides free medical exams, forensic interviewing, clinical counseling, and other services to abused and neglected children in Morris County.
Savettiere said the governor's office told her the funding was cut because the money, which was initially set aside by the Christie administration, was intended to go only towards the construction of advocacy centers. Savettiere disagreed, and said the money should have been shifted to paying for services to the community. The governor's office did not return a request for comment on Wednesday.
Regardless of the reason, Savettiere said the cuts will cause major problems for Deirdre's House, which saw its federal funding disappear last year. Compounding the issue is the extra costs incurred during the pandemic for telehealth programs. Savettiere said one of her staff will need to be let go, but others could follow.
"It's the last thing I want to do," she said, "but I have no choice if this happens."
This article originally appeared on the Morristown Patch
