Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-12-11
DEMAND FOR BABIES
IN VERMONT HOMES
State Board of Charities and Pro-
baton Now Has 200 in Private
Homes and Readily Disposes
of Desirable Youngsters-De-
fectives Also Are Given Care

There are 30 many good people in
Vermont ready to give homes to de-
srable children under six years of age
that the State Board of Charities and
Probation has no fear that within a
short time they can be placed in free
homes" said Miss Lena c. Ross, deputy
commissioner of the State Board or
Charities and Probation, who was in
the city Friday. When child Is
placed in home by this board 1T
means that the home is most careful
ly investigated, even to the point or
the child and its new parents being
compatible Miss Ross within the last
two weeks has placed ten such young
sters.
Then ten children. who were placed
last, ranged in age from two months
to 10 years and were from four fam
lilies where the influenza exacted the
toll of the bread winner and the
mothers were unable to care for them.
They were from small communities
VIII ere the town has no means of caring
for children.
Miss Ross told of one family of six
which was being cared for by the board.
The father had died and the mother
married a man who refused to support
her six children. One boy now has a
scholarship in an agricultural school
Another has been taken by wealthy
people who have two daughters, one of
whom is just entering college. They
take the boy to educate him as they
wanted a boy in the family. lie is seven
years of age and while not legally
adopted. for that would mean sharing
the property with him. he is sure of n
good start in life. Another boy was
taken by normal school teacher. an
other went into the home of n mer-
chant, a fifth has been taken by a
family who will educate him and the
last small child remains with her
mother.
OF course there are many children
who are undesirable because they are
mentally or physically unfit, and these
are placed in homes where they are car
ed for. The children are as carefully
watched as the homes are investigated
and the board exercises great care in
getting the two to fit. Many people de-
eide they want child in their home
and take one without being willing to
stand for the trouble It makes and
after n while tire Of the baby. For this
reason the board will not allow the
legal adoption of child until 1t liz
known that both parties are to be
There are about 200 children now
being cared in homes where they were
placed under the direction Of the
board. The effect on some children
who were thought to be below normal
when given plenty of good food and
care is wonderful and many an appar-
ent outcast has become a very attrac-
tive child when given chance.
Another great work which the board
is engaged In now Ia giving surgic
and hospital treatment to deformed
children and giving them chance IN
life. Only recently one child who was
thought to be deformed so he could
never walk has been placed on his
feet and Is lively and happy. The fund
from which this expense la taken Is
known as the governors fund and has
only been in existence for n couple OF
years. II was raised from private sub
scriptions to pay for surgical and hos
pital treatment. The hospitals make
special rates in these cases and the
doctors as rule charge nothing unless
it is a case where they are Obliged to
go long distances. The fund Is low
at present but has been helped out
from time to time by individuals and
last week a contribution of 5000 was
made by a man In the State
Another part of the work from
which everybody Is deriving benefit al
present is the manner In which the
board officers have gone after men fol-
support Men who do not take pro
per care of their children are arrested
and then let out on probation. This
| usually results In the mans contribut-
ing a proper amount to the care Of the
family.