Dover leader: Police social worker program at risk if federal funds are cut
DOVER — The city Police Department's social worker program could be in jeopardy if federal funding cuts by the Trump administration are enacted, according to City Manager Michael Joyal.
Joyal and Police Chief William Breault have said the program has been successful in aiding service-related calls for mental health or substance abuse.
The program is federally funded by a $331,699 Partnership for Success grant. It is expected to be reimbursed, said Joyal, but he said there is now uncertainty about which grants will be received.
Previous story: How Dover police social workers put helping people in need first
The Trump administration has established the Department of Government Efficiency, led by billionaire Elon Musk, to make large cuts to government spending.
Dover is expecting to receive more than $14.6 million in federal funding for various projects and expenses, according to Joyal. Approximately $4.6 million has been received so far.
"(The police social work) program has made a significant difference in the ability of our police department to appropriately respond to the many calls for service they receive that require follow-up and referrals to various social services, which in turn has reduced the number of unnecessary calls for service by having trained and dedicated social workers follow-up on and address underlying service needs," Joyal said.
More: Dover teen suicide prevention program faces federal funding freeze threat
If the city were to lose federal funding, it would affect the city's hiring ability, said Joyal. He's also concerned how the loss of federal funds would impact Dover taxpayers.
"I am concerned about the potential impact it could have on Dover residents and taxpayers, especially if they are related to program that will ultimately fall back on local communities to provide absent federal funding," said Joyal in an email. "Departments have been instructed and have been attempting to maintain close contacts with their federal counterparts to ensure we have the latest information. However, we have found that the federal officials themselves are often just as uncertain and are also receiving conflicting information from various sources and changes in directives almost daily."
Community Development Block Grants support numerous social services in the city, from Meals on Wheels to Cornerstone VNA, to the My Friends Place shelter for unhoused people. The community grant is intended to support community development initiatives, specifically as they relate to economic development, revitalizing neighborhoods and supplying community services for lower-income residents.
The city has been awarded $328,230 for this year.
Betsey Andrews Parker, chief executive officer of Community Action Partnership of Strafford County, wrote a warning letter to Dover leaders. She is concerned about a potential federal government shutdown if U.S. Congress doesn't pass legislation to avoid it by March 14.
"The Continuing Resolution (CR), federal budget discussion and threat of a shutdown may result in a temporary and/or permanent reduction in funding impacting program delivery," Andrews Parker wrote. "We will know more as the situation unfolds in Washington. We are reaching out to municipal partners to let them know that a disruption in services may occur."
The continuing resolution would keep 2024's level of funding throughout the rest of fiscal year 2025, in an effort to prevent a government shutdown.
Parker's agency serves the county. In her letter to Dover, she broke down the more than $500,000 in support services provided to the city:
$355,959 in fuel assistance to 759 households.
$128,387 in housing, homeless prevention and rental support to 128 households.
$83,100 in food pantry programs to 669 households.
This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Dover leader: Police social workers at risk if federal funds are cut
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