For more foster parents
Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families and the Arkansas Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers prompted a hearing today at the Department of Human Services to speak against a DHS policy that bans “cohabitating adults” from becoming foster parents.
The comment period lasted two hours and featured numerous voices against the policy. Among those most adamant in their opposition were Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families Deputy Director Jennifer Ferguson, Dr. Jill Fussell of the Arkansas Chapter of the Academy of Pediatrics and Dr. Stephanie Simonton of the Arkansas Psychological Association. They were joined by former foster children, foster parents, and other concerned citizens. Two speakers expressed support of the ban, including John Thomas of the Family Council of Arkansas.
The reason for holding the hearing is that the policy was never promulgated, or open to public comment, although it's been effect. AACF saw the hearing as a good way to educate people on the harm of the ban and to create awareness of a proposed ballot initiative banning adoption or foster parenting in homes with unmarried couples.



Comments
And who said that perverts didn't have friends. Next, we ought to ask them to support the pedophiles. I mean, after all, they are people too. Diversity power.
Posted by: strangelove
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October 2, 2008 07:09 PM
For decades the American Psychological Association defined homosexuality as a 'perversion'. A few years ago they 'saw the light', tested the political winds and found that it wasn't. How convenient. Now they actively take any side that promotes what they consistently defined as a perversion. Logic would assume that the next 'perversion' that will fall will be pedophilia.
Posted by: strangelove
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October 2, 2008 07:30 PM
Hey strangelove, why don't you put all thoughts into one post instead of carrying on a conversation with yourself.
But you really don't have a clue as to what this is about. Or just ignore it to spout your hate. Prior to getting married, I lived with my wife for two years. She's got a Phd. and works at a college, and I work in public education.
Had we wanted to provide a foster home, we would not have been able under these guidelines.
I for one am tired of ignorant dumbasses running our country and our state.
Goodnight and have nice evening.
Posted by: Roger
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October 2, 2008 07:38 PM
Calling someone a name when you disagree with them without engaging their argument is a pathetic excuse for supporting a bankrupt position. Children are involved here. I have children and I know how important loving parents are to their growing up. They need to be loved but they don't need to have heaped on them something that is wrong or that might expose them to a sickness that leaves them emotionally damaged for life. If you want to get indignant about something that is destroying these children then start with divorce and having children out of wedlock. Those are the real destructive things in our culture that are hurting children. Try directing your anger at the real evil.
Posted by: strangelove
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October 2, 2008 07:47 PM
Are your running our country and state? If you are, then the shoe fits. If not, I didn't call you anything.
And how can you say that we would "have heaped on them something that is wrong or that might expose them to a sickness that leaves them emotionally damaged for life." Simply because as responsible adults we chose not to conform to YOUR standards.
You have no clue about us. Besides, the issue here is not divorce or having children out of wedlock. Granted, it is a societal problem. The issue is about placing children who need a home for a period of time until they can find a permanent place to live.
Discussion with you is like trying to talk to my students. The wall listens better.
Anyway, you've got the weird user name.
Posted by: Roger
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October 2, 2008 07:55 PM
P.S. I'm not angry. I'm just disgusted.
Posted by: Roger
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October 2, 2008 07:58 PM
Roger, you cannot reason with drunken fools. That's always been my experience.
Posted by: Ms_Haley_1965
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October 2, 2008 08:42 PM
"Roger, you cannot reason with drunken fools. That's always been my experience."
Posted by: Ms_Haley_1965 | October 2, 2008 08:42 PM
Thanks for the advice, but I don't think drunkeness is the problem here.
And you have a good evening.
Posted by: Roger
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October 2, 2008 09:33 PM
Yes, you never call people names-----'drunken fools'. Name calling is not engaging my arguments. You have accomplished nothing but shown that you have nothing to say of value.
Posted by: strangelove
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October 2, 2008 09:38 PM
"Logic would assume that the next 'perversion' that will fall will be pedophilia." - strangelove
Please extrapolate upon this logical assumption. How exactly would a logical person come to this conclusion?
Posted by: Arkansas Student
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October 2, 2008 09:47 PM
"Children are involved here. I have children and I know how important loving parents are to their growing up."
Strangelove,
And how many of the thousands of children that have no parents to love and care for them, do YOU have living with you?
Example of what will be 'no more' if this passes: My children are grown and have moved on with their lives, my best friend who has breast cancer is living with me so I can care for her, her grandchild is with me on a full time basis and I am in the process of trying to get guardianship since my friend (the childs current guardian) can not care for the child in her condition........
Posted by: MadCat
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October 2, 2008 09:51 PM