Human welfare agencies could hold steady in BGCT funding_82503

Posted: 8/22/03

Human welfare agencies could hold steady in BGCT funding

By Ken Camp

Texas Baptist Communications

SAN ANGELO–Texas Baptist child-care homes, facilities for the aging and hospitals would receive about the same amount of funding next year from the Baptist General Convention of Texas as they have received this year, if a proposed budget is adopted and funded.

The BGCT's Human Welfare Coordinating Board approved a budget of $4.4 million in allocations for 2004 during its Aug. 15 meeting at Baptist Memorials Ministries in San Angelo.

That would be a 13.7 percent reduction from the current budget but roughly in line with projected receipts for this year. Institutions affiliated with the BGCT receive funds at the percentage level at which gifts are made through churches.

Through July 31, Texas Baptist churches gave about $34.6 million in total Cooperative Program gifts and $24 million toward the BGCT Cooperative Program budget, falling 13.9 percent short of budget requirements, according to David Nabors, BGCT treasurer. For planning purposes, BGCT program areas have projected 2003 receipts at 85 percent of budget.

If the proposed scaled-down budget for 2004 is met and if giving in 2003 continues at the projected pace, human welfare institutions would receive a $325,500 increase next year.

The Human Welfare Coordinating Board voted to affirm a 2004 budget recommendation of $2.98 million for child and family care, $1.17 million for health care and $294,000 for aging care institutions.

In the area of child and family care, the proposed budget would allocate $735,000 to Buckner Children & Family Services, $712,500 to Baptist Child & Family Services and $765,000 each to South Texas Children's Home and Texas Baptist Child & Family Services.

In the health care category, the recommended 2004 budget would provide $276,000 to Baylor Health Care System, $237,000 to Memorial Hermann Baptist Hospitals, $207,000 to Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center and $225,000 each to Hendrick Health System and Valley Baptist Health System.

For aging care, the suggested 2004 budget would provide $210,000 to Baptist Memorials Ministries and $42,000 each to Buckner Retirement System and Baptist Community Services.

The BGCT Administrative Committee will consider the human welfare budget recommendations as part of the total BGCT budget proposal at its Sept. 4-5 meeting. The Administrative Committee's budget proposal will be presented to the BGCT Executive Board Sept. 30, and messengers to the BGCT annual session in Lubbock, Nov. 10-11, will vote on the board-approved budget recommendation.

In other business, Keith Bruce, coordinator of institutional ministries for the BGCT, reported that Baptist Health System in San Antonio is still in the process of setting up a foundation to receive and administer proceeds from the sale of the hospital system.

Last year, the BGCT consented to the sale of Baptist Health Systems to Vanguard Health System, a for-profit corporation based in Nashville, Tenn. Messengers to the BGCT in Waco approved a resolution stipulating that proceeds from the sale either go to a new foundation formed in accordance with an agreement between the convention and Baptist Health System, or to a partnership between Baptist Health System and a BGCT-affiliated entity.

Bruce also reported that Baptist Child & Family Services is continuing fund-raising efforts to stabilize the financially troubled Breckenridge Village, a residential community near Tyler for mentally challenged adults.

In April, the Human Welfare Coordinating Board recommended allocating to Breckenridge Village $75,000 from escrowed funds originally budgeted for Baptist Health System, and the BGCT Administrative Committee approved that allocation in May.

Kevin Dinnin, president of Baptist Child & Family Services, told the coordinating board in April that half the residents at Breckenridge are on scholarships, meaning their cost of care is subsidized. At that time, he said, without additional income, scholarship funds would be depleted in August.

Bruce reported the BGCT continues to provide additional short-term help to Breckenridge through non-budget funds, based on a commitment made three years ago.

In other business, the coordinating board elected two laypeople as officers, Chairman Charles Moore from First Baptist Church in Corpus Christi and Vice Chair Alice Marie Curtis from University Baptist Church in Fort Worth.