(HS-1)


FCL believes that society, including government at all levels, religious organizations and private groups, has a responsibility to provide all its residents in need with appropriate human services. All publicly and privately administered services must respect the confidentiality and dignity of recipients,

Education

Since education is essential to individual fulfillment, FCL supports strong public funding of public schools that are locally controlled, with statewide standards of achievement to ensure
accountability. FCL favors a strong publicly funded education system rather than a voucher system which would utilize public funds to support private schools. Funding for schools should include accommodating students with special needs and training teachers and students in the use of non-violent conflict resolution.

Public Assistance

Since public assistance is necessary to give some people access to a decent life, government is obligated to provide all residents who need it with appropriate income assistance, food, shelter, medical care and education. Public assistance must respect the dignity of individuals. Work programs should pay fair wages and should fill a social or public need. Parents should not be forced to work unless adequate affordable child care is provided.

Homelessness is a growing problem that the state must address because private charities alone cannot handle the problem. We believe legislation should be introduced to expand short term emergency services including safe and decent temporary housing, and medical care. Government should work to expand permanent low cost housing.

Institutional Services

Institutions must provide humane treatment for their voluntary and involuntary residents. This requires small institutions with competent staff, programming based on residents' needs, community interaction, and public monitoring.

Institutional programs should make assistance available to help those leaving institutions adj ust to community living. Where the needs of the individual and the society can be met in a less restrictive setting, alternatives to institutionalization are preferred.


Approved by Northern Regional Committee on October 27, 1995
Approved by Southern Regional Committee on September 28, 1995.