SEATTLE – Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn says his proposed 2013-14 budget “reflects Seattle’s values,” but one of the oldest social service organizations in the city says it will result in cuts for homeless children.

Wellspring Family Services – a Rainier Valley-based non-profit that has been serving  at-risk families since 1892 – said last week that the Mayor’s 2013 budget has discontinued funding for comprehensive childcare services for young, homeless children, focusing instead on a new pilot program that does not provide the range of services homeless children need to thrive.

“Wellspring Family Services is a strong supporter of innovation, but not at the expense of the loss of care for 20 homeless children in 2013,” said said Ruthann Howell, CEO/President of Wellspring Family Services.

Mayor McGinn says his proposed budget “funds new investments in child care and family homelessness services, including an expansion of a City program providing child care to low- and moderate-income families and increased assistance to homeless families with children” and even includes an increase in funding for human services providers to cover the costs of inflation.

Seattle citizens can share their budget priorities online, by email, over the phone or at tonight’s last public hearing at City Hall. The meeting starts at 5 pm in Council Chambers and sign-ups to speak start at 5 pm. An overview of the process can be found here.

Photo/Wellspring Family Services