Editorial: Ohio makes a poor call on day care vs. foster care
Ohio Plain Dealer, July 31, 2008.
Having a family member step in to care for a relative's children when the state takes them away is better for the children than foster care, research shows. It makes sense that a grandmother or other kin can help a child thrive and feel connected and loved.
It also saves taxpayer money.
Yet, Ohio will soon strip day-care vouchers from about 1,000 people who are employed and have custody of relatives' kids, but can't afford day care themselves.
The state has ordered counties to stop giving child-care vouchers to people caring for relatives' kids unless they meet federal poverty guidelines. Some might tap other public sources for help; many can't.
Those who can't afford day care for the little ones while they work have truly grim choices: quit their jobs and try to live off public assistance or give up the children - their blood relatives - so foster parents, strangers, can get far more taxpayer dollars to raise them.
These "options" are horrendous public policy and will rip families apart.
Ohio must find ways to help these caregivers keep the kids and their jobs.
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