Show-Me Christian Youth Home, a Christian youth ministry which houses children from broken homes and which is supported by several area churches, was featured in Metro Voice News, a Kansas City-based website that covers Christian news.
They did an article about House Bill 764 and Senate Bill 525, bills which would establish a registration process allowing faith-based children’s homes like Show-Me to accept state placements while maintaining their religious independence.
The article featured testimony by Katrina Woods, a retired police dispatcher, who found her mother dead at eight years of age and who endured years of abuse before being placed at a Show-Me Christian Youth Home. Woods testified that she endured physical and sexual abuse and going without food for up to a week at a time.
The Missouri Department of Social Services reports that the state has over 14,000 foster children, but only 4,500 homes available to care for them. At the same time, they report that there has been a 55% turnover rate among frontline staff, creating a revolving door for at-risk children.
Religious homes accepting such placements would have to meet the following standards:
—Mandatory background checks for all personnel;
—-Regular health and safety inspections;
—Compliance with fire and sanitary standards;
—Published standards filed with the state;
—Regular oversight from religious and state authorities.
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