Friday, October 5, 2007

Trenton: Not Enough Children's Health Exams

This from the NY Times Metro/New York/New Jersey Section:

Too few children in foster care in New Jersey are receiving required comprehensive health examinations, according to the State Office of the Child Advocate. In a report issued yesterday, the agency said that only a third of the children receive the exams, and that only 11 percent of those children received all the necessary follow-up treatment. Kevin M. Ryan, the commissioner of the Department of Children and Families, said the department’s figures showed that 40 percent of eligible children received the comprehensive exams, and that 90 percent received at least some form of medical exam. He said that he expected the number of places where foster children can get the comprehensive exams to double if not triple this fall from the current six, and that all 46 local child protection offices would have nurses by late next year.

Let's hope so Mr. Ryan. This is required by law that when removing a child from a home a comprehensive exam is given. Why are parents held to a different standard than the agency tasked with protecting our children?

No comments: