I am writing in support of maintaining Minimum Standards for those institutions which have successfully operated under them for decades.

While a long, successful history alone may not be enough to warrant continuation of  Minimum Standards for those organizations which have operated under them, it certainly begs the question of why it should be changed.

For those charitable organizations which receive no government funding or support, and have an admirable record of compliance there is no need to add on extra oversight and paperwork and mindless record-keeping for the sake of bureaucratic fiat.

Children in the care of these organizations should have no different status, in the eyes of the Commonwealth of Virginia, than any other child residing in Virginia.  They were not placed by any state agency but by the trusting hands, and by the faithful judgement, of their parents or legal guardians.    

These organizations operate in the light of day, completely open to the view of their parents, the Department of Social Services and, for that matter, the citizens of the Commonwealth.  Operations, personnel, financial management and policies and procedures are under the watchful eye of a Board of Trustees with a long history of ensuring the highest quality of care for children who come into the programs.  In my opinion, as a 15 year member and past President of the Board of one of these organizations, the quality of care provided is unmatched by any childcare organization in Virginia.  From what I understand from those in a position to know the fact, the care provided is also far superior to that provided by many in the foster care system in our fine commonwealth.