Ms. Sharon Lindsay,

I am writing to show my overwhelming support for Minimum Standards as applied to private non-profit residential child care institutions that receive no governmental funding.  I am the current Chairman of the Patrick Henry Boys and Girls Home Board of Trustees.  Our institution has been providing a caring environment for children who do not have a nurturing family or are experiencing difficulties in life for over 50 years.  Our residents are freely placed in our facilities by their parents or legal guardians rather than being placed by state agencies.  At Patrick Henry we seek to provide the highest quality care for our residents and in most cases we exceed the minimum standards set for child care.  One of the core building blocks of our institution is we were founded on the principal of providing a christian environment for the children in our care for we know without a change in spirit they may not be able to overcome the situations they find themselves in and may have no hope for tomorrow.  The only way we can continue that mission is to stay under Minimum Standards.

Patrick Henry Boys & Girls Home made a decision when it was founded not to accept governmental funding. Because of that we sought and a bill was passed in the legislature in 1987 that exempted private non-profit children’s residential institutions that receive no governmental funding, such as Patrick Henry, from state licensure except from the minimum standards such as fire and building codes.

I want to express my appreciation for the job you do and the relationship we have shared over the years.  I would also encourage you to continue to support Minimum Standards for those non-profit residential child care facilities that do not accept governmental financial support.

J. Michael Davidson

2273 Sugar Hill Road

Brookneal, VA 24528

JMDavidson@co.campbell.va.us