PRINTER'S NO. 3768
No. 288 Session of 1984
INTRODUCED BY WACHOB, NOVEMBER 28, 1984
ADOPTED, NOVEMBER 28, 1984
A RESOLUTION
1 Memorializing the Governor to appoint a committee to study
2 programs operated for the placement of delinquent and
3 dependent children.
4 WHEREAS, On Saturday, September 15, 1984, a 17-year-old boy
5 was killed while running away from a program operated by
6 VisionQuest; and
7 WHEREAS, This boy was placed in the care of VisionQuest by
8 the court of common pleas of Allegheny County; and
9 WHEREAS, In the past four years, six children from
10 Pennsylvania died while under the care and custody of
11 VisionQuest; and
12 WHEREAS, The Department of Public Welfare is responsible for
13 licensing and regulating programs for dependent and delinquent
14 children; and
15 WHEREAS, On October 12, 1982, the Department of Public
16 Welfare proposed changes and revisions in regulations relating
17 to facilities and programs for children; and
18 WHEREAS, Juvenile court judges, child care workers and
1 citizens of our Commonwealth have questioned why current
2 regulations and the Department of Public Welfare could not
3 prevent these tragedies; therefore be it
4 RESOLVED, That the General Assembly memorialize the Governor
5 to appoint a committee comprised of judges, concerned citizens,
6 State officials and other professionals to study the program
7 operated by VisionQuest and other programs operated for the
8 placement of delinquent and dependent children and the ability
9 of such programs to provide adequately for the health, safety
10 and care of the children in their custody; and be it further
11 RESOLVED, That the committee reports its findings to the
12 Governor and General Assembly in six months; and be it further
13 RESOLVED, That the Department of Public Welfare delay in
14 promulgating new regulations relating to minimum standards for
15 residential placement of children and youth until the findings
16 of the special committee are made.
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