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Article: EDITORIAL: No secret caretakers: Identities of foster parents should remain on records open to public scrutiny.(Editorial)
- Article from:
- The Columbus Dispatch (Columbus, OH)
- Article date:
- May 17, 2007
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2007 The Columbus Dispatch. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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May 17--Otherwise laudable legislation aimed at improving the foster care of abused and neglected children in Ohio is marred by a provision that would undermine the intent of the law.
Bills in the House and Senate mandate FBI-level background checks for prospective foster parents and increase coordination among child-welfare agencies, both steps that reduce the risk of putting children in danger. But the measures would take away an important safety check by hiding the names of foster parents from the public.
Proponents of making the names secret claim this is necessary to avoid discouraging potential foster parents and to protect them and the children ...