Bush seeks to aid children of inmates

Associated Press

WASHINGTON — President Bush is offering help to the children of prison inmates, proposing $25 million in seed money for programs that provide role models and mentors.

Bush made the proposal Thursday as he signed legislation that expands programs for at-risk children, such as those that encourage adoption, try to reunite broken families or provide additional benefits for youths in foster care who are nearing adulthood without being adopted.

He was joined by first lady Laura Bush and two adoptive families from Montgomery County, Md.: Derek and Cynthia Baliles, with sons Taylor, 7, and Gerald, 5; and Willie and Sybil Gray, parents of Christopher, 7, Kenyetta, 5, and Katrina, 4.

"Families provide us with comfort and encouragement, compassion and hope, mutual support and unconditional love," Bush said. "No family is perfect, but every family is important."

Bush said he would propose a total of $505 million in his fiscal 2003 budget plan for foster care, adoption and other support services for children, a $130 million increase over the previous year. Those funds include $25 million for programs that are devoted exclusively to the children of inmates, providing them with role models, academic help and emotional support.

"These children don’t see their parents every day, but like all children need help with homework, someone to play catch with, someone to hug them," Bush said. "Countless adults are willing to open their hearts to these children, and we should do all we can to support their compassion."

The money would be available to groups that are either community- or church-based, said White House spokesman Ari Fleischer. He acknowledged that $25 million is a small amount to address a growing need, but said it is a start on an effort that was one of Bush’s campaign pledges.

"It’s a real sign of how the president ran on something and delivered on it," Fleischer said. "The community that’s involved has been very praiseworthy of this initiative. They are satisfied with the funding level."

Copyright ©2002 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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