To the editor:
For more than 600,000 state residents, this is a critical time of the year. Many people are unaware of the important role they play in helping their neighbors achieve independence, inclusion and perhaps even assisting them so they can work every day.

Pathways for Children, a Cape Ann community-based provider of human services, exists because our society has agreed that children benefit from high-quality early education and care experiences. This fact is borne out by very compelling studies of the young child's developing brain, as well as economic analysis that shows for every dollar invested in the kind of programs Pathways offers, a return of $17 is realized by taxpayers.

We see those savings in lower special education costs, reduced crime rate, higher earning power and greatly reduced dependency on public welfare. Such programs provide vital supports to the working families of today while nurturing and educating the workforce of tomorrow.

Why is this a critical time? The state budget, something that affects each of us deeply, is now being debated in the Legislature. To our 600,000 vulnerable citizens who must rely on a caring society to help them meet their most basic needs, the budget represents more than taxes, cuts to services or an impact on business operations. It represents a values statement by which our residents, through their elected officials, determine what the quality of life will be for those who require our help.

Ultimately, it defines what we call the "common good." It is important to remember that over a lifetime, one in 10 people will require at least one of the vast array of critical services that the human services sector provides. It may be nursing home care for your beloved parent, a home health aid for your disabled brother, a shelter for your neighbor's family who has suddenly become homeless, or affordable childcare for your daughter, who finds herself thrust into the workforce. These are just a few of the many examples that could be cited. The state's budget allocations determine if those services are available when needed, as well as the quality of care that the service provider can afford to deliver.

Ours is a compassionate state and provides many valuable services for people who are trying to live as full a life as possible. As human service providers, we owe a debt of gratitude to our taxpayers for the safety net that they make possible through the taxes they pay.

As we struggle with the many priorities that deserve funding, remember that for every dollar of earned income, only two cents are currently allocated to the human services sector. Please join us in advocating for the modest increases in funding that are sought when speaking with legislators about the things that matter most to you.

For more information on the type of services that our industry provides, please visit the Providers' Council Web site at http://www.providers.org.

Sue Todd, board member, Providers' Council
President and chief executive officer, Pathways for Children