MEMPHIS, TN -
(WMC-TV) - The fate of Shelby County's Office of Early Childhood and Youth (OECY) appeared bleaker than ever Wednesday.
The Shelby County Commission may turn down a $200,000 grant because the program is headed for the chopping block.
Last week, nine commissioners voted to cut funding to OECY. Despite a public outcry and pressure from both Memphis and Shelby County mayors, the majority of the commission did not appear to back down from their stance.
A grant for UT Medical Group's Centering Pregnancy Program is now uncertain.
"I'm not saying that these needs shouldn't be met," said Shelby County Commissioner Wyatt Bunker. "I'm just saying that the government is not the proper administrator of these programs."
Some commissioners believe the county program should be run by private companies, organizations and churches. Others said, despite the program's fate, the grant money should be accepted.
"The state and the federal government are giving us money to help combat our dire infant mortality program," said Shelby County Commissioner Steve Mulroy. "Why on earth would we turn that away?"
"The federal government doesn't have any money that is theirs," said Bunker. "It's taxpayer dollars and we need to treat it all as such."
"We have infant mortality rates that are on par with Third World countries," said Mulroy. "It's a national embarrassment."
Other commissioners said they want more information on whether or not children and youth are actually benefiting from the funding brought in by the program before they accept the money.
"All I'm trying to do is understand how this operation works," said Shelby County Commissioner Justin Ford. "Make sure that when the money is being spent, that it is actually effecting young men and young women in the community."
Commissioners agreed to send the item to Monday's meeting without an up or down vote so commissioners can ask questions in the full hearing.
The commission will also vote on the fate of OECY and the grant next Monday at 1:30 p.m. The agency is asking the public to show up and make their voices heard.
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