I have two concerns: 1) Redefining what constitutes discrimination to include sexual orientation is not supported by research. The NC Family Policy Council has just published a paper on "Why Gender Matters to Parenting". It concludes:

"The goal of public policy in North Carolina

should be to strengthen, not deconstruct, the family

model that remains the best environment for

producing and sustaining the next generation of

citizens—the natural family."

The Institute of Public Policy and Marriage also has excellent position papers citing decades of research that demonstrate children do best with a father and a mother. In addition, family law has been tainted by an activist agenda. Social experimentation is not in the best interests of children, and that is the reason so many citizens oppose it.

2) Social work degree requirements are over-emphasized in these regulations. Agencies may need to utilize equally well-prepared personnel educated in other disciplines in order to fully staff their agencies. Allow a broader-based range of disciplines in the leadership of these agencies.