Shortfall a chance to shift priorities

September 30, 2008

The latest fiscal woes in Maryland provide an opportunity for Gov. Martin O'Malley to exercise greatness ("O'Malley calls for 5% cuts in state agencies' budgets," Sept. 26).

When faced with a massive budget deficit, Baltimore schools CEO Andres Alonso virtually eliminated the central office and dramatically shifted power to local schools. Similarly, the governor could use the state shortfall as an occasion to implement evidence-based strategies that improve services and save money.

For example, through family team decision-making, child welfare workers can help families build a support network that enables more children to stay safely at home. This means less money spent placing children in group homes.

Through multisystemic therapy, parents learn how to address the underlying causes of their children's delinquency. This improves public safety and reduces the need for costly residential programs.

Signing bonuses can bring the strongest principals to the most difficult schools. Test scores will then go up, and the need for remedial services goes down.

Through positive behavioral interventions and support, teachers can learn how to effectively target students who cause disruption and often end up in expensive alternative schools.

Mr. O'Malley did not create the fiscal mess. But he can use it to rally reformers and turn Maryland into a national model for families.Matthew JosephBaltimore

The writer is executive director of Advocates for Children and Youth.

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