Running for office

Raise funding to protect kids better.
Karen J. Adams. Cincinnati Enquirer. Sept. 8, 2006. Editorial, pg 7B.

The tortured death of Marcus Fiesel offers a dramatic illustration of what happens when a state shortchanges the protective services it provides to its most vulnerable residents.

In Ohio, the Republican-dominated General Assembly has consistently cut the critical programs designed to assure the health, safety and welfare of children.

Why? Perhaps because children do not have a PAC and cannot give huge campaign contributions. Whatever the reason, this GOP administration and General Assembly have never given children, the elderly or the afflicted a high priority.

Privatizing government services and underfunding agencies weaken the state's oversight. We need to make sure that the state agencies that oversee children are fully funded and fully staffed with experienced personnel.

Currently, the caseloads are too heavy and the salaries low, so there is tremendous employee turnover. These children need continuity of care.

We must ensure that private agencies are competent and qualif! ied to screen and monitor foster and adoptive parents.

We have seen cases in state after state of children misplaced or lost in a labyrinth because there are not enough experienced caseworkers.

It is not enough to utter platitudes after this child's suffering and death.

I believe government can and should be a force for good to provide for the health, safety, welfare and protection of all citizens. I know that funding programs that protect, nurture and educate Ohio's children is the best investment we can make. We can't afford not to provide for and protect the next generation in our state.

Once I am serving in the General Assembly, I will consider it my duty to see that we do that.
-Karen J. Adams, Kings Mills