Statewide adoption panel to review custody termination process

State creates adoption panel

Kentucky Post, July 6, 2006, pg. A14.

State officials are creating a panel to study the process for terminating parental rights and allowing adoptions of foster children.

Tom Emberton Jr., an official for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, said issues of removing children from their biological parents will be examined, the Lexington Herald-Leader reported on its Web site.

Emberton said there's been a lot of public discussion about the state's process: "This panel will help us make sure it's a fair and equitable process."

The panel will focus on "quick-trigger" adoptions. One social worker is Hardin County has been placed on paid leave pending investigation of her actions.

The committee will be chaired by Mark Birdwhistell, secretary of the Health and Family Services Cabinet. Members include state representatives, a child care trade group and the University of Kentucky's dean of the School of Social Work.