As Gov. Rick Scott readies to sign off on his jobs cutting 2011-2012 budget later this week, on Monday, employees of the Department of Children and Families (DCF) were notified that nearly 500 administrative employees around the state will be cut.
DCF Secretary David Wilkins in his memo to staff stated that front-line workers’ positions would be preserved and it is administrative positions that would be cut.
“As I have said before, we will not balance our budget on the backs of front-line workers who are acting as first responders for children, adults and families in need,” Wilkins said in the memo.
Wilkins added in his memo that, the intention is to consolidate many of the back office services, simplify processes and improve automation, all with the view to slashing nearly $48 million from DCF’s operating budget.
Despite the job cuts, Wilkins seemed to suggest that services would not be compromised at the agency which handles a range of duties, including food stamps and grants to churches that undertake marriage counseling.
But, Rep. Mark Pafford, (D-Palm Beach) said that the 500 workers must be doing something that would be missed when they’re let go.
“I think it’s going to have some sort of effect, and you have to wonder what it will be,” Pafford said.
The Legislature has sent Scott a budget that dramatically cuts several agency’s budgets, eliminating a $3.75 billion shortfall, and further reducing revenue with some tax cuts.
