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UK College of Social Work

Antoine and Jeremiah Smith-Rouse

When one becomes a foster parent, certain training requirements have to be met. However, there is no such thing as too much training, or support, when it comes to being a foster parent, adoptive parent, relative or fictive kin caregiver.

That’s why programs like Adoption Support for Kentucky Virtual Interaction Program (ASK-VIP) are perfect for foster/adoptive parents. ASK-VIP is an award-winning program that has been serving foster and adoptive parents for nearly two decades through adept peer-led support groups and training initiatives. The program, which is housed at the College of Social Work’s Training Resource Center, utilizes seasoned facilitators and trainers who have lived experiences with fostering and adopting. 

Antoine and Jeremiah Smith-Rouse became ASK Parent Liaisons (APLs) sometime in 2018 after first being program participants. The Smith-Rouses first learned about the 20-year program from a flier and continued attending even after achieving their required training hours.

“If it were not for ASK, we would not still be fostering today. So, when the opportunity came to become APLs, we jumped on it,” they said. “We thought that it would be nice to have some diverse representation within the APL group so that foster parents can see themselves represented.”

Representation in the ASK-VIP groups is vital, which is why the Smith-Rouses work with specialized groups. The duo facilitates the LGBTQ+ Foster/Adoptive Parents and Medically Complex Foster/Adoptive Parents groups, where they let the members lead the direction of the conversation.

“Sometimes we do discuss typical (normal) foster parent concerns, but we do also discuss issues specific to us within the specialized group,” they said.

In the Medically Complex group, like most support groups, conversation is essential. The space allows a place to discuss resources and options. They sometimes have members present an issue where they were struggling to get something taken care of for months, but after being pointed in the right direction and connected to proper resources, they were able to resolve their problem.


According to the Smith-Rouses, the LGBTQ+ Specialized group has a tight-knit core group that has continued since the start of the pilot program.

“Within this group, we are always delighted to have new members and it is a safe space. Within this group, nothing is off-limits, and it is a 100% judge free zone. Within this group, laughter happens often, but in-depth help discussions also take place,” they said.

All support groups and training are important. However, the Smith-Rouses said the specialized groups are just as important because, “…sometimes it can feel as if you are going through this journey alone.”

The specialized groups are virtual and will remain so even after COVID 19. When the pandemic began to shutdown businesses and organizations, the coordinators of the ASK-VIP program worked diligently to transition the training and support groups to a virtual format. This was important because it allowed APLS to connect to individuals from across the state.

While each specialized group brings different things to the table, the connections and relationships that Antoine and Jeremiah build bring something completely different.

“As foster parents, we know how vital self-care and support are, but at times we put it on the back burner,” they said. “We enjoy being able to motivate and empower each other. We are problem solvers by nature and are thrilled to be able to help other foster parents across the state.”

The Smith-Rouses also said they love the connection between other APLs, creating lifelong family friends with the other APLs.

Because of this, both Antoine and Jeremiah whole-heartedly agree that those thinking about becoming APLs should take the leap.

“I have learned that not everything is as it seems, and we are all in this together,” Antoine said.

“It truly does take a village, and no matter where you are in your foster journey, more things make us the same than different.”

UK College of Social Work

Q&A with ASK-VIP Liaison, Rachael Wall

Rachael Wall has been working as an Adoptive Parent Liaison (APL) for Adoption Support for Kentucky-Virtual Interaction Program (ASK-VIP) just over 2 years. Something Wall loves about ASK-VIP is that it always evolving to meet the changing needs of Kentucky’s Foster and Adoptive Families.

“Although we offer support and training to the parents, that service ultimately helps support that entire family, making ASK a vital program to families throughout the state,” Wall said.

Read her Q&A below to learn about her work as an APL and the difference she makes in the lives of her support and training groups.

Q. How did you hear about the ASK-VIP program, and what moved you to become a facilitator?

A. I learned about ASK as a new foster parent and participated in ASK meetings for years. The support and training I received were crucial to my success as a foster/adoptive parent.

Becoming a facilitator was an exciting opportunity and I am grateful to be able to continue to provide support and training for other parents comparable to what I had received for so many years. Foster and adoptive parents have a vital role and their success is a direct reflection of the success of Kentucky’s children.  

Q. Tell me about the work you do with the specialized group you facilitate – Single Parents Support Group – and why this group is important to you.

A. I believe ASK has hit the mark with specialized groups. After all, who else can understand the struggles and celebrate the successes better than someone who understands it personally. These specialized groups are wonderful resources available and provide support based on similarities of families and individuals.

Facilitating our Single Parent Support Group is something I look forward to each month. As a single mother of 4 children, I know firsthand some of the challenges and demands that go along with being a single parent.

Providing support and watching as parents support one another is an amazing experience. They not only relate to the day to day worries and challenges of single parenting but are also supportive in times of need and share in the excitement of one another’s triumphs.

Q. Tell me something you enjoy about being a facilitator.

A. There are so many things that I enjoy about being a facilitator, it is hard to choose just a few. I think first and foremost, I enjoy the relationships I have with my families. Whether I see them for one support group or training, or they revisit my groups frequently, I am always happy to see and interact with them, building a connection or even friendships. I also enjoy being able to provide a safe environment for parents to meet and engage in support or gain additional knowledge to help them on their journey as foster/adoptive parents.

Q. What does a typical support group/training group session consist of?

A. In my groups, we start with introductions and a challenge thought or question. We then move into the primary function of that specific group, whether it is support or training, allowing time for interaction and questions throughout. Even though I facilitate each group the same way, they are each unique. I delight in seeing what each family brings into the group and how it incorporates into the topic of discussion.

Q. What kind of lessons have you learned through being a facilitator?

A. I have learned many lessons and grown as an individual from being an ASK facilitator. My compassion for others and their individual experiences has expanded and my communication skills have been refined.

Q. What advice would you give to someone considering becoming an ASK-VIP facilitator?

A. Becoming an ASK facilitator would be a great opportunity to grow personally as well as assist others. As an ASK facilitator, you have an essential role providing support and training to families that change the lives of so many children in Kentucky. This is a great opportunity to have an impact in your community and state.  

Q. What benefits do the participants get from being in the ASK-VIP program?

In our question we belive that online casino canada belongs to ASK-VIP program

A. The ASK-VIP program is not only a great resource during challenging times, but also an innovative way to provide support and training to foster and adoptive parents all over the state. They have access to customized support and trainings as well as numerous options for scheduling. They are able to register online and can participate from the comfort of their own home. Most importantly is they have access to trained facilitators and the insurmountable knowledge and support from other foster and adoptive parents, which is a one of a kind experience.

UK College of Social Work

Mollie Cole, Adoptive Parent Liaison (APL)

Mollie Cole has been working as an Adoptive Parent Liaison (APL) for ASK-VIP for two years.

When she was still fairly new in the Adoption Support for Kentucky Virtual Interaction Program (ASK-VIP), she was approached by the director to fill in as an ASK-VIP-Pilot facilitator due to some last-minute staff changes. Her role as facilitator for the group was a great fit, and she soon found herself on a new path in life.

“After the great experience I had facilitating that pilot, I was asked to consider a VIP Specialized Support group for Transracial Foster/Adoptive families and knew I wanted to connect with other families in this capacity, walking a similar journey as myself,” Cole said.

For Cole, being the facilitator of the Transracial Foster/Adoptive Support Group (TFA) was built on her own experiences as a parent to children of another ethnicity. Since becoming a foster parent eight years ago, Cole had been searching for a place where she could open up about the struggles, rewards and challenges of being a transracial parent.

Looking in mostly online spaces, Cole began trying to learn and grow in the unfamiliar territory of transracial fostering, but found it difficult to learn, understand, and share with vulnerability in a group where she didn’t have relationships with the other members. It wasn’t until Cole found ASK did she find a place where she could truly flourish.

“This group has been different because it has been built on closer proximity to parents looking for the same kind of growth and answers, and the relationships I’ve built have fostered honesty and support in a way I haven’t experienced before,” Cole said. “Even as a facilitator, I’m learning and growing alongside the group members each time we meet.”

The Transracial Foster/Adoptive group first began as a pilot program. For 10 weeks, Cole said bonds, connections, and support thrived among the members, which created a strong foundation of honesty, humility, eagerness to learn, and encouragement to the group as they later began meeting monthly.

The members of the group share their challenges, questions, resources, and support with one another as they meet each month. Cole said she spends time each month gathering ideas to discuss if members don’t have concerns or things to share. However, most weeks the group members are waiting to come to the group and discuss questions or experiences they have, she said.

A typical support group meeting consists of introductions before Cole opens up the space for anyone to share thoughts, questions, or experiences they have had to discuss with the group. She also keeps a list of topics to discuss that are either directly related to common experiences of foster and adoptive families (trauma, behaviors, current events and their impact on families, etc.).

When Cole isn’t serving as the facilitator for the TFA group, she’s leading training groups as an APL. After introductions, Cole goes over the specific topic at hand, such as Bullying, Healthy Boundaries in Teenage Relationships and Healing After a Foster Child Leaves Your Home.

“I love having participants to ask questions and share during the time we are covering training material! While I have experience with many of the topics we (ASK) offer training in, I’m certainly not experienced with everything, and am not an expert of anything,” Cole said. “Hearing from others’ experiences and learning about resources they are knowledgeable about adds such a richness to our training time.”

She also tries to bring some laughter, hope, and positivity to each group she facilitates.

But each meeting, whether it is a support or training group, brings with it so many benefits – not just for those attending, but for facilitators like Cole as well. Through this process, she’s learned how to listen to the experiences of others as well as grow in her understanding of those who might be different from herself.

“The way I parent my children or facilitate an ASK-VIP group doesn’t happen in a vacuum nor is it compartmentalized apart from the rest of who I am. If I am growing in how I love and care for others; if I am learning to unlearn misconceptions and unhealthy beliefs, that all affects how I lead a training or support group,” she said. “I’ve learned that my success or failure in this area is connected to each part of me, and this holistic growth has changed me for the better.”

The best part is ASK-VIP allows for parents to connect with others for support and growth at their convenience, Cole said. Due to COVID-19 restrictions and safety, ASK-VIP expanded to offer trainings along with the support groups already in place. They can access both support and training from their home, while out of town in a hotel room, as they wait to pick-up their groceries, or as they walk the dog. There is a different level of comfort while being at home – wherever that may be. But it also allows people to connect no matter the distance between them.

“I’ve had families in one group join together to “meet” virtually, who would likely never have met in person. They lived on opposite sides of the state and more than five hours away from one another, but this space brought them together,” Cole said. “It really is accessible in a unique and different way than an in-person meeting can be.”

UK College of Social Work

Dean Miller Named to UK Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Leadership Team

The University of Kentucky (UK) recently announced a comprehensive, enterprise-wide Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Implementation Plan designed to accelerate progress at UK for our Black communities and other communities of color. Justin “Jay” Miller, dean of the UK College of Social Work (CoSW), has been named to the 22-member Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Leadership Team.

Dean Miller has extensive experience in DEI. He previously oversaw DEI initiatives for several federal government agencies. Additionally, Dean Miller has written, spoken, and conducted extensive research about the importance of diversity in academic and practice settings.  

You can learn more about the comprehensive plan here.

New UK Social Work Study Zeros in on Self-Care During COVID-19

By Lindsey Piercy, LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 8, 2020) — It is a profession committed to the well-being of others — social workers provide a broad range of services and help people cope with everyday issues.

But meeting the needs of others day after day, while potentially putting their own needs aside, could lead to burnout. Now, add the stressors that accompany a global pandemic.

To learn more about the impact of COVID-19 on social workers, researchers in the College of Social Work (CoSW) Self-Care Lab at the University of Kentucky conducted an insightful study.

“We focus a lot on the acute medical issues associated with COVID-19, and social workers are definitely doing pertinent work alongside other health care providers in that arena,” College of Social Work Dean Jay Miller, lead investigator of the study, said. “But social workers are also doing work to address other problematic consequences, such as unemployment, growing mental health needs, child protection and access to education. These factors certainly make for stressful practice conditions, which can contribute to professional burnout.”  

Burnout, a term first coined by American psychologist Herbert Freudenberger in 1975, describes what happens when a practitioner becomes increasingly inoperative. As symptoms worsen, its effects can turn more serious.

That begs the question, how can social workers provide compassionate care for others if they are not doing the same for themselves?

To better identify self-care issues, the comprehensive study surveyed social work practitioners throughout Kentucky. This is the first-known study to examine the impact of COVID-19 on self-care among social work practitioners.   

The study, launched this summer, assessed several aspects of self-care and factors that influence self-care practices among social work practitioners in a wide array of settings. 

Researchers found that since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic in early March, self-care practices among social workers have significantly decreased. In fact, over 90% of practitioners reported COVID-19 has negatively affected their ability to engage in adequate self-care.

“Given the importance of self-care to the profession, these findings are extremely concerning,” Brenda Rosen, executive director of the Kentucky chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, said. “This research really illustrates the need to support social workers during this unprecedented time.” 

While some of the findings were expected, researchers noted a few surprising results. For instance, analyses revealed that gender, race/ethnicity and sexual orientation are all factors that influence engagement in self-care. 

In summary, social workers who identified as female, white or LGBTQ* reported engaging in significantly fewer self-care practices.

Additionally, practitioner’s working remotely reported struggling to engage in adequate self-care practices.

“Though there are certainly commonalities, results from this study show that people are experiencing the pandemic in very different ways,” Miller explained. “Responses and interventions aimed at improving self-care must take these differences into account.”

The CoSW understands managing crippling stress among these practitioner groups is fundamental to their well-being and the well-being of the populations they serve.

Researchers, like Miller, believe self-care is not only indispensable but cannot be ignored. He hopes this study will highlight the need to examine and develop beneficial approaches to support all helping professionals.

“For the foreseeable future we, as a society, will be dealing with the ramifications of COVID-19. Social workers, and other professionals, will be instrumental in the recovery from this pandemic,” Miller said. “Given the importance of these practitioners, it is absolutely imperative that we build a knowledge base that informs how we support them. This study contributes to doing just that.” 

To learn more about The Self-Care Lab, you can view this video. If you have additional questions about this project or would like to receive a copy of the full report, email selfcarelab@uky.edu.

UK College of Social Work

Guidance for Children and Families Involved with the Child Welfare System During the COVID-19 Pandemic

One of our Medically Complex Training Program presenters from the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital sits on the Executive Committee of the American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Foster Care, Adoption, and Kinship Care. They, along with a small group, wrote Guidance for Children and Families Involved with the Child Welfare System During the COVID-19 Pandemic. The guide is designed to support the continuation and improvement of that critical work so that all children and families may flourish.

Maintaining child safety is essential, and even the circumstances of a pandemic should not undermine the vital work of supporting permanency and well-being for children and their families.

Exerpt from Guidance for Children and Families Involved with the Child Welfare System During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Read more here.

UK College of Social Work

Emily Moseley Awarded HDI’s Paul Kevin Burberry Award

Story by Beth Potter, HDI Director of Information Services

The University of Kentucky (UK) Human Development Institute (HDI) has awarded the prestigious Paul Kevin Burberry Award to Emily Moseley. Emily began a research assistantship with HDI in 2019 and has worked on several projects related to people with disabilities and their experience with COVID-19 and information services. Emily is entering her second year of graduate studies to obtain a master’s degree in Social Work and the HDI Graduate Certificate in Developmental Disabilities. This field of study will equip her to promote social justice and equity while being of service to others.

“Emily is an exceptional student and a joy to work with. With her strong leadership capabilities, genuine care and concern for people, as well as an unbridled passion for the HDI and Developmental Disabilities, Emily truly exemplifies qualities of an outstanding Social Worker,” Sara K. Green, Graduate Advisor from the UK College of Social Work said. “As her Academic Advisor in the College of Social Work, I am so proud of her ongoing academic achievement as well as her many personal and professional accomplishments, the prestigious Paul Kevin Burberry award included. I cannot think of a more deserving recipient.”

The annual Paul Kevin Burberry Award honor is given to a student who has demonstrated a strong commitment to people with disabilities, academic excellence, and the leadership qualities exemplified by Burberry’s own life. It is named in memory of the Berea native who was the first student with significant physical disabilities to graduate from Berea Community High School. He went on to Berea College and UK, as a philosophy major. While a student at UK, Burberry worked with HDI to create training modules to train medical and allied health students on developmental disabilities. Though his life was cut short before graduation, he was posthumously awarded his UK degree with highest honors in 2004.

Beth Potter, HDI Director of Information Services says, “Emily’s work performance is evidence of her commitment to the HDI mission and vision which align with the extraordinary example set forth by Kevin Burberry.”

UK College of Social Work

Third MSW Student Awarded LTJ Fellowship

Incoming Master of Social Work (MSW) student Eman Ghoneim now joins her fellow incoming MSW student Quinten Harris and current student Alisia Taylor Sullivan in receiving this tremendous fellowship. Sullivan is completing her first year of the fellowship.

In an effort to contribute to the mission of enhancing diversity, the University of Kentucky established the Lyman T. Johnson Postdoctoral Fellowships to support postdoctoral fellows in graduate and professional areas. The fellowship is named in honor of UK’s first African American graduate student, Lyman T. Johnson.

Johnson, known as a desegregation pioneer, sued UK in 1949 after two failed attempts to enroll in the University’s graduate program. At the time, UK’s graduate school was completely segregated. The university held the stance that black and white students should not attend the same school, a stance that many institutions across the nation held.

By April of 1949, Federal Judge H. Church Ford ruled that UK must admit black students to the university. Through Johnson’s actions, it became possible for future black students to be a part of the graduate program.

The LTJ Fellowship is awarded to first-year or continuing graduate students. Candidates for eligibility contribute to the University of Kentucky’s compelling interest in diversity, is a first-generation college student and exemplifies leadership, extracurricular activities, awards and recognition, and/or community service. 

Fellowship recipients pursue an individualized research program under the mentorship of one or more UK professors and actively participate in departmental and professional research-related activities. Fellows play a lead role in designing, developing, and implementing research programs that contribute to a department’s overall graduate education and research mandates.

The fellowship provides a $47,476 stipend plus benefits. In addition, the fellow receives $2,000 for support of research activities. Fellowships are available for up to two years. The initial appointment is for 12 months, but recipients may apply for a second year.

UK College of Social Work

Loeffler Awarded 2020 Outstanding Teaching Award

Each year, the University of Kentucky recognizes faculty and graduate teaching assistants for outstanding teaching during its UK Faculty Awards Ceremony. The Outstanding Teaching Awards annually recognizes faculty and graduate teaching assistants who go above and beyond what is expected of them.

For the first time in the 18-year history of the UK Faculty Awards, the College of Social Work (CoSW) is proud to announce that Dr. Diane Loeffler, Director of Undergraduate Studies, is a recipient of a 2020 Outstanding Teaching Award.

“We are extremely proud of, and for, Dr. Loeffler,” said Jay Miller, CoSW dean. “Dr. Loeffler’s commitment to quality instruction and student experience is unparalleled. We are extremely fortunate to have her as part of our CoSW family.”

Loeffler was awarded this prestigious honor in Category 2, which recognizes lecturer and clinical title series faculty for outstanding performance in the classroom, laboratory, or clinical settings.

“Winning this award was very overwhelming – there are so many gifted teachers at UK, and it is truly an honor to be recognized as being among those great educators,” Loeffler said. “I wouldn’t have become the teacher I am without the steadfast encouragement and support from so many UK faculty past and present.”

After graduating from high school in the Twin Cities, Loeffler obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at the University of Iowa (UI). While there, she said she encountered some of the best educators around, such as Dr. Joel Barkan and Dr. John Nelson, who encouraged her to take flight and to think critically about inequities and social problems.

“It is likely that neither ever knew the impact they made on me and how I approach teaching and working with students,” she said.

After graduating from U of I, Loeffler headed south, where she spent time working with a housing nonprofit in Central Appalachia. Loeffler decided to pursue a career in social work after working for a few nonprofit organizations in the Southeastern United States. The work she was doing was largely around affordable housing and community development.

Realizing she didn’t have the tools and skills needed to be equipped to help create systemic change, Loeffler pursued a Master of Social Work (MSW) – a natural fit for her which provided her with the education needed to become more successful in community development work that was meaningful and impactful.

“The social work profession has deep and meaningful ties to work around social justice and equity, and this was important to me when I was deciding in what area I wanted to pursue graduate studies,” Loeffler said.

Loeffler earned her MSW and Ph.D. at the University of Kentucky, a move that allowed her to stay connected to the communities she had worked in and to the social issues she was passionate about.

Loeffler said she was fortunate to be able to complete her post-doctoral work and become a member of the faculty at UK CoSW.

“I’ve been on faculty in the College since 2007, and in 2019 I was asked to serve as the Director of Undergraduate Studies,” Loeffler said. “It is a challenging and rewarding way to deepen my commitment to undergraduate education and to – hopefully – positively impact the lives of our students.

Contributing to her passion to better others and the world around her, what drives Loeffler is the understanding that the work she does is a privilege. As a professor who has the opportunity to teach elective courses, Loeffler loves getting the chance to interact with students from many different disciplines and professions.

“When a classroom is humming with discussion and dialogue and students are really working together to challenge one another – that drives me to keep doing this work,” Loeffler exclaimed.

For a list of previous winners, visit here. For media inquiries, please contact Kaitlyn Brooks at Kaitlyn.brooks@uky.edu.

UK College of Social Work

UK Collaborative Team Receives Funding To Refurbish & Provide Essential Medical Equipment

Students watch as Dr. Pat Kitzman teaches how to refurbish medical equipment.

Roughly 1 in 7 Americans live with a disability that impacts daily mobility. The average cost of a wheelchair ranges from $500 to $2,000 without insurance, seriously curbing access to this essential equipment for patients who lack proper coverage. The UK Center of Excellence in Rural Health (CERH) in Hazard is working to bridge this gap for Kentucky patients through a project that repairs and redistributes used medical equipment to communities in need. 

Project CARAT—short for Coordinating and Assisting the Reuse of Assistive Technology— began in 2013 as a collaborative Health Resources and Services Administration Grant (HRSA) with CERH, the UK Physical Therapy program, and the Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation where two CARAT sites opened—one in Hazard and the other in Thelma. Within the last seven years, three additional sites in Lexington, Louisville, and Paducah have been added.

In order to expand the reach of the Hazard facility, CERH, the UK College of Health Sciences and the UK College of Social Work partnered in applying for a 2020 UK Sustainability Challenge Grant and the project was funded. This funding will allow the programs to work collaboratively to provide a larger number of refurbished equipment items to individuals in need and increase opportunities for community members to engage with the project at various levels.  

Keisha Hudson, CERH’s administrative research assistant said each CARAT site is unique in terms of need for equipment, and community support will impact the project’s continued success.

“We hope to increase engagement with the public,” she said. “Community-donated equipment is crucial to our success and we hope more awareness of our mission will result in equipment donations and greater access to care.” 

Used canes, walkers, and wheelchairs can easily be repurposed for additional use. Unfortunately, most of this medically necessary equipment is thrown out after acquiring wear and tear. The team behind Project CARAT works to repair, sanitize, and rehome used equipment in local communities.

Used medical equipment stored in new Project CARAT facility thanks to HRSA grant funding.

“If you drive up and down your streets, it’s amazing the number of wheelchairs and walkers you will find waiting for the garbage truck. There’s also tons of equipment in landfills,” said Pat Kitzman, PT, Ph.D., professor in physical therapy and a founder of Project CARAT. “We have a supply, and we have a need, but we did not have the go-between until now.”

Kitzman said the project was also borne from challenges he faced as a home health physical therapist. His first-hand experience has impacted both the project’s overarching mission and how he teaches his physical therapy students.

“I was always having to MacGyver somebody’s wheelchair because current insurance policies only allow patients to receive a new wheelchair every five years. They will not replace the chair sooner if something happens to it,” he said. “I knew our students, who will one day become future healthcare providers, would need this knowledge to help their patients.”

Frances Feltner, DNP, MSN, RN, FAAN, director of CERH, added she hopes Project CARAT will provide sustainable solutions and continuous expansion for much-needed care in rural Kentucky.

“Serving people is at the heart of everything we do. Project CARAT is giving patients the equipment they need, providing greater health care resources, and looking at the real needs of each individual community,” she said. “This type of precision care is a building block to addressing health disparities in our communities and in our state.”

“This project was a natural fit for our social work students,” said Melissa Slone, MSW, UK College of Social Work East program coordinator at CERH. “Accessing resources, providing services, and breaking down barriers is what social workers do.”

“What we do is not for the glory of the grant,” Feltner continued. “It’s to provide services for people who truly need them.”