San Diego Children’s Budget Documents County Investments in Children’s Programs

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors today accepted the San Diego County Children’s Budget, highlighting the priority placed on supporting San Diego’s children and youth. “The Children’s Budget is a landmark analysis of how County investment makes a difference in the lives of local children,” said Chairman Greg Cox. “The Board of Supervisors strives to make the most of public dollars by spending critical resources on needed programs for children and families.”

“The County has defined three initiatives to focus spending and services, the first of these is the Kids Initiative to improve opportunities for children,” Cox said. The Children’s Budget was designed to help the County better understand how public funds were directed to specific segments of the community in Fiscal Year (FY) 2001-02 and can serve as a baseline for this County Initiative.

Key Findings

• The Children’s Budget describes approximately $950 million in budgeted expenditures for FY 2001-02 that were dedicated to services for children, youth, and their families. More than one-quarter of the County of San Diego budget was allocated for child-related services and programs. In HHSA alone, children, youth, and their families were the target population for more than $600 million of the approved budget for FY 2001-02. Additional public funds — not included in this analysis —were spent on libraries, housing, and other children’s services in San Diego County.
• The Children’s Budget report shows eight categories of spending for children, youth, and their families, including: Employment ($335.9 million), Health and Medical Care ($54.0 million), Children’s Mental Health (106.8 million), Substance Abuse Prevention ($6.8 million), Early Childhood Care and Education ($116.2 million), Youth Development ($5.4 million), Child Protection ($187.8 million), and At-risk Youth and Juvenile Justice ($93.0 million).
• The report reveals that County of San Diego dedicated County revenues to improving the lives of children, appropriating funds above and beyond federal and state requirements. Despite federal and state categorical mandates, County officials have seized opportunities to shape budgets and programs in the best interests of local citizens.
• Nearly 70% of the overall County Budget was represented by the four major County agencies serving children, including the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA), and the County’s Public Safety Group (specifically the Probation Department, District Attorney’s Office Juvenile Division, and Public Defender’s Office). These four agencies represent an equal or greater share of budget commitments to children. Clearly, a substantial share of the remaining 30% of the overall County Budget supports programs that directly or indirectly touch the lives of children.
• San Diego County has successfully blended public dollars with private sector resources. The newly opened San Pasqual Academy for foster youth is one example of a successful public-private partnership in the County. Many more such partnerships may emerge from the County of San Diego Kids Initiative.
• This first Children’s Budget reflects a snapshot in time, using FY 2001-02 funding levels. Since that time, State and federal budget cuts have had a substantial impact on County programs serving children, youth, and families. This analysis omits some areas of spending (e.g., education, parks and recreation, and housing budgets). Future efforts may look at spending of other county agencies, as well as information on education spending and measures of private sector spending.

The Children’s Budget Project – undertaken by the San Diego Children’s Initiative and the County of San Diego with funding from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation – examines children’s issues from a financial perspective. “The Children’s Initiative was pleased to lead this public-private partnership,” said executive director, Sandra L. McBrayer. “Convening a Advisory Board, to create a Children’s Budget with public and private agencies that provide programs and services for children and families is a perfect example of how the Children’s Initiative works to improve systems and services.”

Budget and program staff of the HHSA, Probation Department, District Attorney's Office, and Public Defender’s Office provided data and technical support for this analysis. Community-based organizations and local children and family commissions also participated in this review of county spending, particularly the San Diego Association of Non-profits (SANDAN) and the Commission on Children, Youth and Families.

Data Definitions and Limitations
The dollar figures identified as “expenditures” represent the amount of expenditures set in the official County FY 2001-02 budget, not actual, year-end expenditures. The direct costs of administering programs are included (but not administrative overhead costs for payroll management, technology support, etc.). These budget numbers may vary from previously published budget numbers as a result of rounding, division, or consolidation of numbers to achieve children’s budget categories.