CANADA
Ottawa Sun
Wed, April 5, 2006
By CP
CORNWALL — It wasn’t until the mid-1980s that the Children’s Aid Society began to do in-depth checks on people applying to be foster parents, an inquiry into the response to allegations of child sex abuse here heard Tuesday.
Prior to 1985, screening consisted of such things as a medical exam of each parent, a test for tuberculosis, three references from a priest, a friend, a neighbour or a family member, a home visit and an interview to complete a two-page home study.
Beginning in the early 1960s, CAS workers would note the physical aspects of the home, ensure the couple had a valid marriage licence, put together a summary of the references and medical reports, and compile a brief description of the parents and their children.