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Hundreds of children are walking the halls of the state capitol this week, asking lawmakers to fund kids programs. They’re being accompanied by parents and children’s advocates of course. Cuts to programs that help kids with mental health problems and prevent child abuse are on the chopping block. State Senator Nan Rich says the cut could add more kids to the state’s foster care rolls.

“There’s been an attempt to eliminate the healthy families program. This program has a proven track record of preventing child abuse and keeping families together when it is possible to do so safely. Eliminating it would not only see more kids end up in foster care, but it could also endanger children and possibly subject them to abuse and neglect. We have to make sure that that program remains in our budget, said Rich. “

The House could use money from a gambling deal with the Seminole Tribe to save the programs.