Think about the children.  Children's best interests should be kept in mind when selecting a home, a home that best meets the children's needs.  Letting characteristics like sexual orientation, ethnicity, race, etc affect the placement of a child is a huge disservice to both the child and the community at large.  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.  The State Board of Social Services should restore to the final rules the protections against such discrimination included in the proposed rules.

Thank you,

Crystal