St. Louis Post-Dispatch

By Bruce Lesley

You rightly observed (“Sleep safer,” May 11) that Missouri’s Legislature acted this month to protect kids from one danger, while increasing their vulnerability to another: child abuse and neglect. But Washington also has work to do, and National Foster Care Month is the time to do it.

Financial distress, unmet mental health needs, substance abuse problems and other risk factors contribute to abuse and neglect. By cutting supports for low-income families, the Legislature increased the risks. This shortsighted decision will have fiscal as well as terrible human consequences…

Read more