Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1946-08-29
$50 Homes Licensed
In Prince Georges
For Child Care

MULE IMAM lou nurseries or foster
homes are licensed by various
agencies in Prince Georges County
to care for children overnight, 1t
was disclosed today by William E,
Roger, case supervisor for the
county welfare department.
Most Of the homes are licensed
by the welfare board itself, although
certain agencies such as the Dis
trict of Columbia Welfare Depart
ment, the Maryland State Childrens
Aid Society, the Bureau of Catholic
Charities and other organizations.
are permitted to grant special
licenses for their own cases under
the direct supervision Of the State
Welfare Board, Mr.. Roger declared.
A total of 10 independent foster
homes, where parents have placed
children without going through any
agency, are in operation in the
county at present with licenses
issued by the county welfare board.
it was learned. Mr.. Roger said the
welfare board also has about so
cases OF It's own, while the other
organizations have similar or smaller
numbers.
Probably Others"
Mr. Roger said there are probably
other foster homes or nurseries,
which care for children on an over
night basis in the country, without
licenses. but added, I'VE do not know
about them"
IF We did," he pointed out. I'VE
would be after them. When hearing
OF such a place, we Immediately
assign a case worker to investigate
and most OF the time, find the op-
orators are ignorant of the laws and
only too eager to comply with them"
Requirements for license accord
ing to welfare board standards, see
to 1t that the physical premises are
free OF health hazards such as i'm
proper sewage and garbage disposal,
impure milk and water, and poor
screening. 1t Is also required that
children first be examined before
being admitted, and that the appli-
cants are the proper kind of people
who have emotional and financial
ability to be substitute parents, :"
Mr.. Boyer said.
No Charge for License.
In most cases, the county Health
Department is called upon to inspect
rural areas only, while the metro
politan areas of the county are left
to the Welfare Board, Mr.. Roger
explained. Licenses are required
for all places where one or more
children receive overnight care, he
said.
When the board is satisfied, a
permanent license Is issued without
charge to remain in effect until
revoked for cause, Mr.. Roger related
Occasionally, as was the case with
Mrs. Ora B. MacGuire, Sugar
old operator of a nursery at Ais
Oliver street, Riverdale, from which
a AZ -month-old District boy was
removed on Monday only to die
within five minutes after being adj
mitted to Children's Hospital, a tenn
porary provisional license is issued
until circumstances are altered to
permit issuance or rejection of a
permanent one.
Checked Twice Yearly.
Mr.. Royar added that the County
Welfare Department, with Is full
time employees, was required to check
all places every six months, and in
most instances, it was done more
often.
Meanwhile, welfare and county
officials said no action has been
taken yet against Mrs. MacGuire,
either on any alleged charges of
neglect resulting In the death of
Richard Byron eraser, son of Mr..
and Mrs. Isadore eraser, 1888 Sew
enteenth street NV, or for operat-
ing nursery without license. We'll
fare Board officials said her license,
which had been a six-month pro-
visional one, had expired In April.
States Attorney A. Gwynn Bowie
said he would study the facts con.
cerned and If any evidence OF any
kind was found against Mrs. Mac
CURE, he would order the nursery
closed and start prosecution pro-
ceedings.
When we have all the facts, not
Just hearsay, we will be in q posi-
ton to know what can be done about
it," Mr.. Bowie said.