ReformedWretch
Puritan Board Doctor
I have not posted one of my blog article here in a while, but I think it's acceptable to post this one.
You may find on my site where I have sometime in the past referred to the Residential Childcare Industry. I have since come to learn that there is no industry. In the United States residential childcare along with social services in general is a function of the government. The government regulates it, licenses facilities, and in the majority of cases provides the funding. Furthermore, it is not a function of the national government but of each individual state´s government.
Each state regulates its own social services to include residential and foster care. Further, their regulations will reflect their local culture, philosophy, and traditions. I have worked in three different states, and although there are many similarities there are also many differences. I see advantages and disadvantages to all the different regulations. For example, I think less regulation allows for closer, more personal relationships with the children, where more regulation may provide more safeguards for both the children and staff.
Is one state´s system better than another? I don´t know that´s not my specialty. I do know that national change is a very slow and tedious process that has been taking place since before the turn of the century, the 20th century. Is it right for people in one state to try to force another state to do it the way they do or vise versa? Probably not. Can somebody, bring reform through out the entire country? Maybe if they are willing to wait for their grandchildren or great-grandchildren to finish it. Even with federal mandates, change is slow!!!! And it still has to be done one state at a time.
One of the original "œhouse parent" sites (www.houseparent.com) recently had this posted on their blog. I find it an interesting read and will admit that it´s 100% correct! What concerns me is that the author, as well as countless other "œChristians" in this Country seem to just accept it as "œthe way things are". I´ll admit that for years I accepted it as well, but I was wrong.
There´s no reason that the government should have total control of the childcare industry, none at all. So who should have control? Private business? Individuals? No, the CHURCH needs to step up here. If there has ever been an issue in our Country that cries out for the Church´s involvement it is residential childcare. Millions of children across this Country are in need of care and we followers of Christ are very good at seeking jobs within this industry, but what we aren´t very good at, is taking charge of the programs through our local church homes.
Look, there is no reason that any Church sponsored childcare facility should be taking State monies in order to stay open. Shame on us for allowing this to happen! While we pull our children out of public schools in order to home school them we are allowing the poor children placed in facilities to not only be taught by the State but RAISED by them! God forgive us.
The author of this article ends by asking "œis there anybody who can bring reform to the childcare industry throughout the Country?" the answer to that is a resounding YES! Christ´s church can and should bring reform to the childcare industry. We should rise up and take the reigns from the bureaucrats and see to it that these children are loved and cared for in a Godly way. We have an opportunity to bring the gospel in word and deed to millions of hurting children, but instead the government brings them godless socialism and we wonder why our future often looks so bleak.
I applaud the church´s stance against abortion and I whole-heartedly support that stance! However here we have children who were born and are in need, yet we do so little for them. These children´s parents chose to choose life yet in their struggle with raising their children we have abandoned them to the State! It´s time to put our money where our mouths are.
Thank God that I work for a facility that takes ZERO State monies and as such can teach morality, spirituality, and character without fear of government interference. Yes, it takes a large sum of money to do this, but our churches are full of professing Christ followers who can contribute enough to see childcare facilities open for needy children, even if they would start small (think 4-6 kids). At least that would be a step in the right direction and may lead to the rescue of millions of children across the Country being raised and guided by a godless government!
We can bring reform because we DON´T LIE TO KIDS!
You may find on my site where I have sometime in the past referred to the Residential Childcare Industry. I have since come to learn that there is no industry. In the United States residential childcare along with social services in general is a function of the government. The government regulates it, licenses facilities, and in the majority of cases provides the funding. Furthermore, it is not a function of the national government but of each individual state´s government.
Each state regulates its own social services to include residential and foster care. Further, their regulations will reflect their local culture, philosophy, and traditions. I have worked in three different states, and although there are many similarities there are also many differences. I see advantages and disadvantages to all the different regulations. For example, I think less regulation allows for closer, more personal relationships with the children, where more regulation may provide more safeguards for both the children and staff.
Is one state´s system better than another? I don´t know that´s not my specialty. I do know that national change is a very slow and tedious process that has been taking place since before the turn of the century, the 20th century. Is it right for people in one state to try to force another state to do it the way they do or vise versa? Probably not. Can somebody, bring reform through out the entire country? Maybe if they are willing to wait for their grandchildren or great-grandchildren to finish it. Even with federal mandates, change is slow!!!! And it still has to be done one state at a time.
One of the original "œhouse parent" sites (www.houseparent.com) recently had this posted on their blog. I find it an interesting read and will admit that it´s 100% correct! What concerns me is that the author, as well as countless other "œChristians" in this Country seem to just accept it as "œthe way things are". I´ll admit that for years I accepted it as well, but I was wrong.
There´s no reason that the government should have total control of the childcare industry, none at all. So who should have control? Private business? Individuals? No, the CHURCH needs to step up here. If there has ever been an issue in our Country that cries out for the Church´s involvement it is residential childcare. Millions of children across this Country are in need of care and we followers of Christ are very good at seeking jobs within this industry, but what we aren´t very good at, is taking charge of the programs through our local church homes.
Look, there is no reason that any Church sponsored childcare facility should be taking State monies in order to stay open. Shame on us for allowing this to happen! While we pull our children out of public schools in order to home school them we are allowing the poor children placed in facilities to not only be taught by the State but RAISED by them! God forgive us.
The author of this article ends by asking "œis there anybody who can bring reform to the childcare industry throughout the Country?" the answer to that is a resounding YES! Christ´s church can and should bring reform to the childcare industry. We should rise up and take the reigns from the bureaucrats and see to it that these children are loved and cared for in a Godly way. We have an opportunity to bring the gospel in word and deed to millions of hurting children, but instead the government brings them godless socialism and we wonder why our future often looks so bleak.
I applaud the church´s stance against abortion and I whole-heartedly support that stance! However here we have children who were born and are in need, yet we do so little for them. These children´s parents chose to choose life yet in their struggle with raising their children we have abandoned them to the State! It´s time to put our money where our mouths are.
Thank God that I work for a facility that takes ZERO State monies and as such can teach morality, spirituality, and character without fear of government interference. Yes, it takes a large sum of money to do this, but our churches are full of professing Christ followers who can contribute enough to see childcare facilities open for needy children, even if they would start small (think 4-6 kids). At least that would be a step in the right direction and may lead to the rescue of millions of children across the Country being raised and guided by a godless government!
We can bring reform because we DON´T LIE TO KIDS!
