First, thanks for this opportunity to address the State Board.

Secondly, the best interests of the child should be the sole factor in deciding whether a child should be placed with a prospective foster care or adoptive parent or parents

Third, state-licensed child placing agencies should not be allowed to discriminate against children or prospective parents based on race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, political beliefs, sexual orientation, disability and family status.  To discriminate would go against what we believe and hold dear as Virginians and as Americans.

Finally, The State Board of Social Services should restore to the final rules the protections against such discrimination included in the proposed rules.  Private or religious agencies receiving public funds must acknowledge and obey civil rights and civil laws as they are enshrined in our US Constitution.

Sincerely,

Robert Oliver

Suffolk, Virginia