Jay Rockefeller: “children who are at risk of abuse and neglect are among the most vulnerable group in our society, and we have a…”

“children who are at risk of abuse and neglect are among the most vulnerable group in our society, and we have a compelling obligation to do a better job in protecting such children. I am proud to join Senator Chafee and others in a bipartisan effort to improve our federal child welfare programs. Almost a decade ago, I had the opportunity and privilege to serve as the Chairman of the bipartisan National Commission on Children. Our diverse group spent several years traveling the country to meet with families, officials and advocates to delve into the needs of children and families. We issued a unanimous report in 1991 with a comprehensive strategy to help children and strengthen families. One of the chapters of our report was directed toward helping children at risk of abuse and neglect. Since the Children's Commission, I have been working to convert our bipartisan recommendations into policy and programs. The Children's Commission basic recommendations called for a more comprehensive strategy for child protective services. The panel noted the need for a range of services so that children and families could get what was needed on a case-by-case basis. Our report call for intensive family preservation services when appropriate. If children must be removed from their homes, reunification services need to be available to prepare children and parents for a safe return. There should be better training for foster parents and child welfare staff.”