Butler Children Services Policies Reviewed

Written by Amber Ellis Thursday, 12 March 2009 12:31

An adoption policy in Butler County that gives preference to married couples is getting a closer look, along with another recent change that allows caseworkers to put common sense over agency rules.

Butler County commissioners said Monday that they will ask the county prosecutor to review the new rules adopted by the Children Services agency.

The adoption policy, which was changed in December but became public only last week, created a stir when single parents and unmarried and same-sex couples learned that they might be at a disadvantage when stacked up against married couples considering adoption.

Although every home is considered for placement, the policy clearly states that married couples are given preference.

"It's not proper and, obviously, we don't agree with it," Commissioner Charles Furmon said this weekend. "You can't show favoritism for one group over another."

There are too many other concerns to focus on something like an adoptive parent's marital status or sexual preference, Commissioner Greg Jolivette said.

All three members of the board said they need to review the adoption policy, which appears to be the first of its kind in Ohio.

The idea that potential parents would be turned down because of their marital status is a violation of their rights, according to Scott Greenwood. Greenwood is general counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio.

Furmon said he is afraid that the policy could put not only Children Services but the entire county at risk for lawsuits and other claims.

Director Michael Fox, who plans to retire at the end of March, dismissed those claims and maintains that the new rules will not discriminate against anyone.

"I would encourage the commissioners to first read the actual rule. It says that the trump card in all of these decisions is the best interest of the child. The rule does not say a single parent cannot adopt. It does not say that people with alternative lifestyles can't adopt," Fox said.

Prosecutor Robin Piper said his office has not been asked to look at the policy.

Once he's contacted, Piper said his staff will check to see whether giving preferential treatment to adoptive parents is legal.

"When we're talking about children who have been abused and neglected, I think you're looking for people who will provide for those children and give them the love, care and protection they need," Piper said. "The question is who does that best."

Fox says his reasoning is based on several studies that show children from married households are more likely to succeed. In the last week or so, he said, the conversation has shifted from the issue of adoption to the issue of gay rights.

"I would hope (the commissioners) would keep it because it is structured in a very fair way, and it will mean better outcomes for kids," Fox said.

The preferential adoption policy also is being considered for foster placement.

The "common sense" policy, meanwhile, has been an unofficial part of the agency for years. But last month, Fox said he made the change official because not all caseworkers felt comfortable working around the rules - even when those rules didn't make sense.

The policy allows workers to bend rules on things such as flex time and skip other bureaucratic steps that would, for example, delay moving a child to safety.

Read the original article at Cincinnati.com