Regarding the article CAS cuts kids to survive (Dec. 13).

Workers of the Children's Aid Society of London and Middlesex (CAS) do their best to protect the most vulnerable in this community. We are not choosing to cut kids to survive funding -- the government is!

We are cash-strapped because we depend on the government to fund our programs. We are in the same position as 49 of 53 of provincial Children's Aid Society's because of the funding crisis. The workers at the CAS have to adhere to the constraints of a government funding formula that is outdated and insufficient. Every year, CAS's across the province face huge deficits to follow standards set by the ministry.

Our mission statement is Safe Children, Bright Futures and our goal is to keep children with their families. The government is trying to quantify children and families. Protecting children and families involves too many variables.

Workers at the CAS are concerned the public may misinterpret the article and believe we are not committed to protect the children at risk and to maintain family cohesiveness. The dedicated workers of the CAS, will as always, continue to work diligently to ensure the safety of the children.

Michele Halle

President, OPSEU Local 116 and executive members