Governor Ryan Announces Funding For Family Development At Governor's State University

CRETE -- Governor George H. Ryan today announced a $13.4 million Illinois FIRST grant to Governors State University for the construction of a Family Development Center noting that the center's construction is a reflection of the same kind of human infrastructure projects planned for the Fiscal Year 2001 budget.

"In Illinois, we are very fortunate to have the resources we need to help our children and their families," Ryan said. "This family center is exactly the type of community program we need to help strengthen families, reach our children early and give them the best."

The Center will have an infant-toddler program for 33 children aged birth to two years and their families. It will also house a charter school for 125 children aged three through third grade and will provide after-school care for enrolled children with working parents. The center also will provide a full range of services, including parenting education to families of children enrolled in programs.

In his FY 2001 budget, Ryan earmarked $53 million dollars for childhood programs, reading grants and the "Summer Bridge" program. The governor's recommended budget also includes an increase of $212 million in state funding for programs and services that maintain the state's "human infrastructure," promote good health, prevent and treat substance abuse, help seniors maintain their independence and advance the lives of people with mental illnesses or development disabilities.

In particular, the governor recommended funding for the new "Illinois Workforce Advantage," a place-based service delivery network that will consolidate the state's social service offerings into "Family Resource Centers" within distressed communities. This pilot program will target neighborhoods that rely heavily on state services. The new support centers will consolidate health care, job training, child welfare and other services into one entity to create a seamless delivery of advice, care and support.

"The second fundamental premise of this budget is that no one will be left behind as we move Illinois forward," the governor said. "We will continue to develop the human services infrastructure that we need in this state."