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Family & Children First Council delays some program expansions, shifts youth‑services funding
Summary
The Family & Children First Council told council that budget adjustments will delay planned RFPs and reduce funding for certain youth development programs, including a 20% reduction to CTAG and delayed expansion of in‑state college exposure opportunities; current contracts will mostly be preserved in 2026.
The Family & Children First Council told Cuyahoga County Council on Oct. 28 that budget constraints require delaying planned expansions and reducing some youth‑development funding but that the council would attempt to minimize impacts on participating children.
Robin Martin, director, said the council provides staff support to a multi‑agency body that coordinates services for children with complex needs. She described reductions across several youth programs: a 20% reduction to Closing the Achievement Gap (CTAG) funding, the decision to pause one Beach Brook contract in favor of a planned parenthood‑style provider consolidation, and delaying RFPs for two buildings in the CTAG expansion. "We had room for two extra buildings, and that's what the cut represents — the two buildings that have not been RFPed for this year," Martin said.
The nut graf: Martin said existing CTAG sites and other active contracts will continue in 2026; the cuts reflect fewer projected participants and underspending in some programs rather than termination of active services. She said the office plans to work with providers to minimize direct impacts to children and families.
Council members sought detail on how reductions would be distributed; Martin said the plan for 2026 is to delay the second RFP and avoid eliminating current sites if possible, though future years could require additional adjustments. The office also reported that out‑of‑school‑time programming is funded through the HHS levy and that the proposed reductions will be managed to reduce service disruption.
Ending: Family & Children First said it would focus reductions on planned expansions rather than cutting existing services where possible and will provide follow‑up to council on contract impacts.
