This is a hard situation for a child to be in. I think it is so important to weigh out the long term affects of everything that we might do for a child. Sometimes, even if the home is not perfect and there are problems, it might be more beneficial to keep the child there and work on the parents more than anything.

Food, shelter, protection, warmth, ect are all basic needs that everyone needs to meet. I believe other needs such as relationships, beneficial and positive feedback from parents and family should also be part of basic needs. Mental illness and poverty are things that will affect the ability of a parent to give sufficient care to their children. If they can not take care of themselves, they most likely cannot take care of a child.

I think children need a variety of different things and every child's needs is different depending on their situation. I believe that issues such as mental health, job security, temperament, etc. should all be considered when determining if a parent is capable of raising a child. I think with the MSL standards, it allows everyone to know what needs are necessary for their individual circumstances because needs will not be the same with every case. It is always best for children to stay with parents if possible even if others could provide better because of the relationship between a real mother, father, and child.

Saddened

1980 Adoption assistance and child welfare act: This law provides culturally diverse families for the adoption homes of children. This law also sets up standards and laws that the foster homes must abide by if and when they have adopted or foster children. Sets up goals for children who might need a foster home and better assess situations so that children can be placed back into their original homes if possible. They collect all information so it can be saved for future use.

I like that you said we must do our research before we know how to help because there may be things we won't know about if we don's study out the situation.

John received help from numerous volunteers. He described some of these volunteers as being mother figures for him in his life. I think that the situation was handled, and although I do not know the whole story, there are always things we could do different to better every child's circumstances.

I think I could make a difference in the Bleux case by assessing the family situation and then speaking out of the best interest of the child. Being a few months old, the child has no voice so I would love to speak for the child and do what would allow the best lifestyle and outcome for the child.