Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1920-11-04
BETTER LIFE FOR SAB
NEGLECTED CHILDREN
Vermont Children's Aid Society
!, Has this Number Of Little
Ones Reported Since Last
! November-Home Conditions
! Improved and New Homes
! Found


Josephine Webster. Of this city. andn
Presented at the Vermont conference Of
social work In Windsor. gives a good
idea Of what the Children's Aid Society
ihas been doing during the last year:
This report covers a period Of ten and
one-half months, from November II, 1919
to October /. 1920. CONNER cling from tho
date when a full time paid worker first
began active work for the Society. AS
a matter of fact, however what was
done during this time rested upon the
foundation that had been previously laid
by the directors and members of the
Society. 1t is impossible to overestimate
the value Of their wise and painstaking
ilabors.
It was my intention to spend the first
few weeks in visiting the institutions of
the state. getting acquainted with the
agencies and people with whom we should
work. But as usual, the best laid plans
failed. At once calls for help for chill
dren in distress from all parts Of the
state came to the office. Getting ac-
quainted had to wait until 1t could be
eandwiched in with some errand in the
interest of children In need.
The middle Of November is probably the
best time to begin state wide work in
Vermont, II what is wanted 10 a test
of endurance. This rigorous old state
gave a worthy initiation in the form
Of the severest winter on record. You
do not need to be reminded Of the I'M
usual difficulties Of transportation that
necessitated the expenditure of time,
money and energy that often seemed quiet
out Of proportion to what was accom-
plished. Laying foundations, even I'M
der the most favorable conditions, Is
slow. hard work. This first year has
been filled to overlooking with calls for
help which we have tried to meet while
at the same time we have sought to
keep our bearings and to steer this new
craft toward the sea Of greatest useful
ness.
SPLENDID COOPERATION
Just here, I must refer again to the
generous spirit of welcome and co-opera-
tion that met US on all sides. We have
been not only helped financially. but
cheered morally by the generous sup
port Of the woman's clubs. Physicians
and surgeons have given of their SER
vice unspartngly. Attorneys Employed yt
unfit parents to oppose our control OF
their children have in most cases con-
sidered as paramount the welfare of the
child and have helped us to work toward
that end.
From the first. we received not only
the sanction but the heartiest assurances
OF cooperation from the State Board
of Charities and Probation. Last spring
our executive committee and the States
Board held joint meeting to discuss
the advisability of division of labor
between the two Societies. 1t was thu
sense Of the meeting. however, that be-
cause of the great amount of work Il
be done along all lines. 1t was best a.
present not to attempt a division of la
Dor. but that as far as possible each or
ganization should handle all cases re
ported that had not been previously re
ported to the other agency. To expo
dite. the work and prevent duplication
an exchange Of information between tn,
Societies was instituted.
The Childrens Aid society has had re
ported to 1t PIG cases. involving 543 chill
dren. In each case we have tried to max,
a thorough investigation before form
ulating any permanent plan for the fam
lily. This has meant considerable
amount both Of travel and correspond
ence. 1853 letters have been written ant
1906 miles travelled. or this distanc,
$3.50 miles were travelled by railroad
and 8.S6 by automobile. The generous
gift Of q Dodge roadster by one of GU
directors. Mrs G. H. Eggleston, and tn
loan of a Ford by the Thomas Thomp
son trust for the work in the south
ern district has greatly facilitated tn
work.
BEST INTERESTS OF CHILD
A child's problem cannot be consider
ed apart from the family problem. wher
possible, We have tried to solve the diff
ficulty without removing the child fror
his own home by helping to raise tn
homes to a proper standard. Failing 1
this we try to find a relative who ca
offer the child a suitable home befor
we seek to place him with strangers
1t is tragic that little children are eve
forced to leave their parents simply be
cause those parents are poor, but thi
has happened and is happening all tn
time in Vermont. The mothers per
sion. granted by the State Board of Char
dties and Probation, which helps a widow
ed mother to keep her children wit
her. Is a step in the right direction. TIL
present appropriation Is not large enoug
to begin to meet the need. and the legis
Native enactment is restrictive.
More and more 1t has been borne upon u
that large share of the care of d.
pendent children in Vermont is bein
carried on by the poormasters. The prof.
lem comes to their attention and in man
INSTANCES ia settled locally without tn
aid OF either the State Board of Char
tiles and Probation or of the Children
AID Society. Even though he may hay
the best of intentions. the overseer
the poor Is limited in his resource
Usually his knowledge OF free and boar
ing homes Ia confined to his own tow
The good people Of that town know t.
we'll the child's family history to
willing to offer him a home and su
for the annoyance Of interference or eve
friendly visits from the childs relative
What happens is that such children a
often placed tsometmes bound out, f
khis old law still exists in Vermono
honnss inferior to what could be -four
for them in other parts of the state.
po-oPERATIoN WITH POORMAsTEE
Realizing the difficulties of the poo
masters. The Vermont .Children's A
Society wrote to all Of these officis
in August. offering to cooperate wi
them In finding suitable homes for CHI
dren who we're physically and mental
tit for adoption. Requests for help
this sort have come in from all par
of the States. Investigation has shoy
that the majority of these children a
either mentally unfit for placement.
else their heredity Is 80 bad that 1t
not fair to offer them for free fost
homes until we have satisfied ourselv
that they are normal children. In su
cases We are willing to find suitat
boarding homes where the children m
be tested and observed. Consequently
L. Ind nf M