On Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster this morning, DCFS Secretary David Matlock defends the state’s refusal of Summer EBT dollars that equates to $70 million in federal match from a state investment of $7 million. Matlock said this summer the state will provide 1.8 million more meals than before the pandemic to children in a congregate setting, he said that’s more ideal than adding funds to an EBT card.
“Summer feeding programs that are congregant, in-kind meals and grabs and go’s and you get to see the child,” said Matlock.
He said they need to hire 300 employees and they need a new fleet of vehicles, which are vital for child welfare caseworkers and many of the cars are 20 years old.
Matlock said DCFS is facing an internal fiscal cliff of $35 million a year and he’s done with generational poverty. He said the answer to child poverty is educational opportunities along with workforce and job development.
“I’m also done with spending money that we don’t have. Our folks are borrowing money from our grandchildren from people we don’t like that our grandchildren aren’t going to be able to pay back and I’m done with it,” Matlock.
The seven-million-dollar investment required by the state for the Summer EBT program is administrative costs, that’s split between DCFS and state education. Matlock said he’s trying to budget dollars for more child welfare caseworkers to meet the department’s main goal.
“Our prime mission is to protect children from being abused and neglected by their parents and caretakers,” said Matlock.
The Louisiana Democratic Party issued a statement criticizing the Landry Administration’s rejection of Summer EBT which affects an estimated 594,000 children in the state. Party Chair Katie Bernhardt said it makes no sense to turn down $71 million to feed poor children.
Louisiana is one of 15 other states with Republican governors not accepting Summer EBT federal funding.
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