Columnists, Johnny Mack Morrow, Opinion
 By  Johnny Mack Morrow Published 
7:59 am Wednesday, July 28, 2010

State is praised for the protection of children

How we treat the most vulnerable is important to us, and it’s an important measure of how well the state is doing.

Children are at the top of the at-risk list; they cannot control their environment and are at the mercy of the adults around them.

It seems each week we hear of a story around the nation of a child who fell through the cracks. The warning signs of an abusive parent, or a problem in the neighborhood, leads to tragedy and we are left with questions.

Did the family know of problems? How could the school have helped or intervened? What role should state agencies have played?

We often don’t think about children’s services until either they are needed or something happens and we see the gaps.

Alabama has been working hard to improve its programs, and now there has been recent good news about the state’s readiness to protect children in times of natural disaster, as well as keeping an eye out for abuse and neglect.

A new report from the national advocacy group — Save the Children — praised Alabama’s standards for protecting children during national disasters. The report said that Alabama stands-out among the states that were hit in 2005 by Hurricane Katrina for having a sound disaster plan.

After Katrina, thousands of children along the gulf coast were reported missing, and it took months to find them all. More than 50,000 Louisiana and Mississippi children missed school that year, and more than 15,000 students missed the next year as well.

Alabama also suffered significant damage from Katrina, and on top of that we took in thousands of refugee families from our neighboring states.

The report says that in the overwhelming majority of instances, Alabama’s social service agencies and state and local school officials handled that influx with both professionalism and compassion. We made sure our own and those who came to us for help were cared for and protected.

The children attended school, and they got the help they needed.

The report shows that Alabama meets four critical standards for protecting children during a natural disaster including plans for evacuation of children, for reuniting children with families, for evacuating special needs children at child-care facilities, and for evacuation plans at schools.

Good programs and plans are only part of protecting the most vulnerable. We all have a part in seeing that children do not suffer abuse and neglect.

The Alabama Department of Human Resources notes that while some people like teachers or doctors are required by law to report suspected abuse or neglect, everyone is encouraged to notify authorities if they suspect abuse.

Certainty is not required. What is necessary is a reasonable suspicion that a child is a victim of abuse or neglect. Constant bruising and injuries, neglect in appearance and hygiene, and malnourishment are signs of abuse.

The department asks that a report with local police or the local DHR office be made when these warning signs are seen.

It is important to note that abuse or neglect reports are presumed to be acting in good faith. They are, by law, immune from legal action, civil or criminal, that might otherwise be taken, an important protection for those who take the responsible action to protect a child.

It is important to protect and care for the most vulnerable among us, and it is a clear indication of whether we are on the right track.

When it comes to protecting children in times of trouble, it is nice to know Alabama is doing the right things.

Johnny Mack Morrow is a state representative for Franklin County. His column appears each Wednesday.

Also on Franklin County Times
Thorpe to play at Blue Mountain Christian
High School Sports, News, Russellville, ...
Brannon King For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE – Brennon Thorpe made his plans official to attend Blue Mountain Christian University and play baseball for the Toppers during a recent s...
Russellville High Class of 1967 gathers, reminisces
Columnists, News, Opinion, ...
HERE AND NOW
July 16, 2025
You can’t really go back to the good old days of high school, but you can pay them a visit now and then. That’s exactly what the RHS Class of 1967 has...
Former Cypress Lakes official to lead Guntersville State Park
Lifestyles, News
Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
GUNTERSVILLE — Heath Puckett had an Auburn University degree and golf course superintendent certification in his pocket when he arrived at Cypress Lak...
European travel builds bonds across cultures
Lifestyles, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE -- A group of Franklin County travelers spent nine days this summer walking through catacombs, exploring castles and standing in places w...
Little Free Library welcomes readers in East Franklin
Lifestyles, News, Phil Campbell
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
PHIL CAMPBELL — Eleven-year-old Aiden Hall is an avid reader, but he doesn’t just want to read books. He also wants to share them, and the way he deci...
King becomes elementary curriculum director
Lifestyles, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELVILLE — Molly King says every child can learn, though not necessarily in the same way or on the same day — a belief she plans to carry into her ...
New Junior Leaders begin their training
Franklin County, News
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
FRANKLIN COUNTY — Forty-two high school students from across Franklin County are beginning 10 months of hands-on leadership training and community ser...
Fire destroys 2-story garage, guest suite
Main, News, Russellville, ...
Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
R U S S E L LV I L L E – Jason Gist leaned against the wall of his home with a look of disgust while dozens of firefighters worked to extinguish a fir...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Stories
July 4, 2025Augusto Simon Diaz, 42, of Russellville, passed away July 4. Visitation and funeral were held at Spry Memorial Chapel on July 12 from 2pm ...
July 16, 2025
July 8, 2025Jamie Kerby Cummings, 41, of Russellville, passed away on July 8. Visitation took place July 13, at Spry Memorial Chapel from 1 pm to 3pm....
July 16, 2025
July 11,2025Julie “JuJu” Welch Black, 63, of Russellville, passed away on July 11.Graveside service was held at 1pm on July 13, at Belgreen Cemetery w...
July 16, 2025
July 9, 2025Scott Noel Benford, age 58, of Muscle Shoals, passed away on July 9. Visitation was held at Pinkard Funeral Home in Russellville on July 1...
July 16, 2025