The Detroit times., 1915-02-08
JAYNE HASPLAN
FOR BETTER CARE
OF DETECTIVES

49, tOenftnued FROM Pugs One).
on trial In foster homes as residents
and figuring them In the totals
This constant decrease In the
number Of children Is due to the
natural tendency OF the times.
Every one now agrees that pri
vate homo Is tho best place for
normal child. This state institution
has been kept running at q cost OF
$4,000 year to the state on the
theory that clearing house for re-
ceiving these children before plac'
ing them out, was needed. Such is
not the case. Here In Detroit We
have closed two orphan asylums In
the last two years In the face OF a
rapidly growing population. providing
for all children who are public
charges In private homes.
the state public school report
shows that the average time a child
stays In the institution r. two and
seven-tenths months. We must add
TO the cost OF maintaining them
there, their transportation, which Is
great. Think what Il costs to bring
q small child say, from the upper pen.
then IN q few days send It out again
to foster home. perhaps In the
same part OF the state. How useless,
when II could have been transferred
directly. The state already has pro-
yided for the temporary care Of the
children In each county, through the
juvenile courts and their detention
homes. all created since the state
school was established. There al.
ready II provision for the children's
placing and supervision by the coun
ty agents. and the laws compelling
the registration and approval OF every
foster home BY the state board.
"The state would have but 10 pro-
vide some assistants for its state
agent already ON the job. II would
require not to exceed three or four.
to supervise and help the county
agents In difncult cases. The total
expense for salaries and expenses
would not be above seven or eight
thousand dollars.
1.-THE homes are waiting. A child's
picture In the newspaper will bring
30 offers to care for II. 20 Of these
would be suitable, and 10 would pass
the most rigid tests. Ny experience
In this field has taught me that there
are at least dozen homes Tor every
normal child. The state public
school report table OF ages shows by
far the largest number between Ave
and 10, an easily placsable age.
Michigan does not need an ex-
pensive Institution TO care for such
children. n only needs 70 show them
one OF these waiting homes and 10
protect them In II.
This plan Is working well IN New
York, In Massachusetts,, and In sew
eral other states.
snow, as to the future use OF the
plant. The--last report OF the state
public school shows 30 paid employees.
more than one TO every four patients.
The great majority OF the children
are normal and OF an are to materi-
ally help Themselves. This ratio OF
employees TO inmates is considerably
higher than In the state institution
for feeble-minded. so no additional
help should be needed.
There are cottages, school, a
hospital, a complete equipment for
Predetermined with q maximum CO.
paeity OF nearly $50. The manage
ment says that about 30 per cent OF
the children there now, perhaps 80.
are subnormal, hence unplaceable.
They should be left there. The plant
should then be turned over. to. DR..
Haynes and the board In control of
the feebie-minded az branch for
I Predetermined children. Such types
would be Immediately transferred 20
its from Lapeer, Adrian and Lam
sing, allowing these schools to meet
the demands upon them.
This should enable the Lapeer In
stitution TO clean up fits waiting fist.
II would begin the right policy OF pro
viding state care for the ieeble-mind.
ed, allowing smaller units In differ.
emit parts OF the state, leaving these
unfortunates within reach OF their al.
ready sufficiently bereaved relatives,
81 have laid the plan before Gov,
Ferris, who said IL looked like an
elementary proposition, and asked me
TO bring the matter in proper form
before the legislature az once. I
have taken II up with Secretary Muir.
ray of the state board OF corrections
and charities. He is in full accord
with the policy OF placing these nor.
NAL children directly in homes and
as soon as this is done, turning the
Coldwater plant over for the feeble.
minded. ] should consult with him
on the policy OF administration de
tails and follow his suggestions, as 1,
Is MP 10 him to supervise these state
activities. have submitted the plan
to DR. Haynes, OF the Michigan Home
land Training school, and he is enthu
siastic over the idea.
Wayne county happens to have
two members on the state public
school home committee. am pre-
pairing the necessary legislative step.
which ] shall place In their hands
as they both heartily approve Of I'll.
Iplan suggest"