To the editor:

Child welfare is not a casual task. Entrusting the life of an infant, a toddler, a school child, or a vulnerable teen to an unlicensed staff member is a risk that Kansas is unwilling to take. My first encounter with a child protective agency was with a “badged” social worker. Beyond the social work license regulated by the Behavior Science Regulatory Board this individual had a badge similar to a law enforcement officer signifying the individual was the representative of the governor of Kansas sworn to investigate child abuse, neglect and exploitation. As a young human service worker I was impressed with the dual credentials of license that could be suspended for failing to professionally execute job duties and a badge signified that Kansas takes seriously its role to protect its youngest citizens. Now it seems the safety of our children is to be managed by unlicensed, un-badged staff lacking professional education in the helping professions that will make staffing a call center similar to computer tech support. While it is commonly accepted that a computer may die due to poor customer service from a “call center” I don’t think the citizens of Kansas will accept a child death with the same casual view.