I want to express my support for retaining the Minimum Standards for Licensed Child Caring Institutions for three reasons.

1. The institutions under these standards do not receive government funding.  They are truly “charitable organizations” maintained by a free association of clients and organization.  Because the state does not financially support or reimburse these institutions the state has only a minimum vested interest in them.

2. Since Minimum Standard Institutions are not providing services on behalf of the state the only regulations that should concern the state are those regarding the health and safety of the residents. Decades of successful operations of these facilities are evidence that Minimum Standards do more than an adequate job of this. 

3. The residents in these private facilities are not wards of the state but have been voluntarily placed by their parents or guardians.  Things like program parameters, treatment goals, and case management are matters of concern between the parents and the institution, not the state. 

Robert J. Day

Executive Director

Patrick Henry Boys and Girls Homes