Posted on 11/10/2007 4:07:46 AM PST by tripod
Your Views November 8, 2007
Questions recreation’s notification policy If you live in Alexandria, have a child in the city’s after school programs run by the department of recreation, and assume you will be called in the event of an emergency — don’t hold your breath.
According to Leslie Clark, a Department Division Chief, the department’s policy regarding parental notification is to guarantee that at least one person on a child’s emergency contact form will be called. In most cases, one would assume such a policy is reasonable. But, in cases where child custody is an issue, it becomes an entirely different matter.
In Virginia, unless a court order has been issued to the contrary, the non-custodial parent of a child enrolled in a public school or day care center has the right to be listed as an emergency contact if they so request. Alexandria’s Department of Recreation acknowledges this right. But, the department refuses to guarantee notification to the non-custodial parent in the event of an emergency. In the words of an assistant city attorney; “Contrary to your request, the [recreation] department will not obligate itself to contact you every time it calls [your spouse] in the event of an emergency.” There goes the rule of law when it comes to complying with Virginia State Code (§ 22.1-4.3, “Participation by and notification of noncustodial parent.”)
Child custody disputes can be difficult and emotionally charged. When a custodial parent refuses to cooperate on an issue as important as notification in the event of an emergency the non-custodial parent ought to be able to rely on the city department who is caring for their child to obey the law. But, that is not the case in Alexandria. It marches to a different drummer.
To make matters worse, the recreation department’s “policy” is only a “practice”. According to the same assistant city attorney; “ … it is my understanding that the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities has no written policy regarding contacting emergency contacts in its after school activities.” So, there you have it — to hell with the law. Further, if there is no written policy, as such, don’t expect a call if there is an emergency. Is this the type of family friendly “policy” one should expect from a tax-payer funded city department?
It is amazing that Kirk Kincannon, Director of the Recreation Department, can manage his city agency at all when his bureaucrats are making so-called policy decisions arbitrarily and on the fly. It is equally amazing that a city attorney defends the policy while knowing that the practice violates state law.
And, with all of the city’s obstinate efforts to avoid a simple commitment to obey the law and to inform non-custodial parents, who’s considering the needs of the child if emergency strikes?
Bill Euille, Mayor, City of Alexandria - alexvamayor@aol.com
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