As a decade-long advocate for families affected by domestic and sexual violence, I have witnessed first-hand the devastation of the youth of our communities when violence, contempt, and fear enter their homes.  This violence does not discriminate based on race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, political beliefs, sexual orientation, disability or family status.  Fair and consistent discipline, financial stability, kind words, a chance to thrive -- none of these things can be predicted within a family based on the proposed protected classes listed above and, as such, these categories should be eliminated as screening tools from the placement process.  To deny any child the chance of a loving, stable, and compassionate home because of the race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, political beliefs, sexual orientation, disability or family status of potential adoptive or foster parent(s), is both immoral and bad public policy.

As such, I support the following:

1. The best interests of the child should be the sole factor in deciding whether a child should be placed with a prospective foster care or adoptive parent or parents
2. State-licensed child placing agencies should not be allowed to discriminate against children or prospective parents based on race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, political beliefs, sexual orientation, disability and family status
3. The State Board of Social Services should restore to the final rules the protections against such discrimination included in the proposed rules.