Letters to the editor: Dec. 13, 2015
We owe it to our children to act now
Children belong at home with their family.
In 2013, approximately 402,000 children were in foster care in the United States (Children’s Bureau, 2014). In 2010-11, South Carolina had a total of 9,424 cases of child abuse and neglect. The state ranks 45th in the nation on the overall well-being of children (Palmetto Place Children’s Shelter, 2012).
Information from the Federal Data Program (2009) revealed that the rates of abuse and neglect in the United States were higher following reunification of children with their families.
This is simply unacceptable. We owe it to our children to act now.
The current proposed legislation – Senate Bill 1932 All Kids Matter Act – seeks to amend sections of the current Title IV-E foster care program by allowing financial flexibility to ensure safety, permanency and well-being to all children in need of welfare services (Govtrack, 2015).
This bill would amend the current Title IV-E to allow services to be provided in the family’s home first, and only use foster care as a last resort. To be able to intervene with action, states would utilize assessments and provide proper support and services to determine if children can remain in their home.
All children have the basic right to grow up in a stable home with a mother and a father.
Children are a gift, we have to provide them a stable environment with their biological or natural family. So act now, for our children.
I encourage each and every South Carolina resident to call U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham at 803-366-2828 and U.S. Sen. Tim Scott at 803-771-6112 and demand justice for our children. Ask them to co-sponsor Senate Bill 1932.
Julie Martin
Rock Hill
Pedestrians should make themselves visible
Several times lately, while driving home after 5:30 p.m., I have at the last minute spotted persons beside the street with no light-colored clothing, no reflectors, no flashlight.
I’ve also seen bicyclists dressed all in dark clothing wheel across the street in front of me.
This is dangerous. Just because you can see me doesn’t mean I can see you.
Doris T Browder
Rock Hill
This story was originally published December 12, 2015 at 9:00 AM with the headline "Letters to the editor: Dec. 13, 2015."