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Raising standards
The state should revise its rules for dealing with privately run group homes for kids next year. Lax oversight might only allow problems to go undetected until something terrible happens. |
More Scrutiny Needed for Group Homes
Hattiesburg American
Editorial
June 21, 2004
A state senator is seeking more scrutiny for private group homes in Mississippi. Currently these facilities only have to have a certificate from the state Department of Health.
In Mississippi, privately run group homes for children don't have to be licensed, an oversight that needs immediate redress during the next legislative session.
As the law stands now, group homes only have to receive a certificate from the state Department of Health. Now one Pine Belt lawmaker says he would like to see that policy changed.
State Sen. Tom King, R-Petal, told the Hattiesburg American that he wanted to talk to the state Attorney General's office to see if the policy could be strengthened.
Said King: " ... I believe that when there are children involved there should be accountability and if that means licensing, so be it. I believe it's time to address this."
King's comments come as the state investigates Bethel Girls Academy in Petal. The school was raided by state officials last month and 38 girls were removed from the group home for troubled teenagers.
To date, no charges have been filed. Girls at the Petal facility who were interviewed by state officials said they were emotionally and physically abused, allegations that the academy's director, Herman Fountain Jr., denies. The school remains open.
The need for additional oversight is perhaps underscored by abuse allegations at a similar facility in Lucedale. The Bethel Boys Academy, which is currently operated by John Fountain, the brother of the director of the Bethel Girls Academy, agreed last year to stop certain boot-camp-style actions at the school.
According to a consent decree, under which the Bethel Boys Academy denied any wrongdoing, the school agreed not to use electricity to discipline students and Herman Fountain Sr., the former founder and director of the school, was barred from oversight of the operation.
The school also agreed to allow students to have water breaks when they are exercising.
Bethel is not alone, because there are other such schools in the state. And while the Bethel schools may have children's welfare at heart, there's always the potential for abuse.
The state should revise its regulations for addressing these operations next year. Lax oversight might only exacerbate the situation, allowing problems to fester and go undetected until something terrible happens.
Steps taken soon could save lives, or certainly make sure that the state lives up to its responsibility of making sure children housed in these facilities are afforded the best possible protection from harm.
