Improved Safety For Social Workers Wins House Approval In Kentucky

Lee Coleman

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After the tragic death last October of Boni Frederick, a social service aid in Kentucky, who was fatally beaten and stabbed when she took a child for a home visit with it's mother in Henderson, a bill has finally been passed that should improve workers safety. The "Boni Frederick Bill" passed calling for about 4.8 million to hire 33 aids, and 76 social workers and clerical staff over the next 16 months. It would also fund 15 centers around the state so children could be visited by parents instead of social workers having to take the child to the parents home, not knowing what they were walking into when taking a child in. It also includes better emergency communications equipment for workers. The boyfriend and mother have both been charged with murder in the death of Boni Frederick.

"Cabinet officials -- who convened a task force to study the social-service system after Frederick's death -- said yesterday that they view the bill as a starting point to improve safety for workers and the families they serve.
"I see this as an encouraging step," said Mark Birdwhistell, the health and family services secretary.
Rep. Tom Burch, D-Louisville, said he believes HB 362 represents an important advance.
"This is the first real legislation we've offered for social workers in my career," said Burch, the bill's sponsor and 22-year chairman of the House Health and Welfare Committee. "Boni Frederick should not have died, and this bill is being dedicated to her memory. Hopefully no other social workers or assistants will die."