Dan of the CASA (RE: House State Affairs Committee gives salamander big OK): I'm not sure where the diaper needs awareness bill came from, and I can appreciate it could be used for many punch lines. However, as someone who works on a daily basis helping victims of child abuse and neglect, our CASA program works to maintain a ready stock of diapers and other basic needs items for children who get placed into foster homes, often at unexpected times and before the "regular system of supports" can kick in.

When I first came here as Director and saw all those kinds of things down in a storage room my first reaction was, "hey, we don't need to be in the thrift store business" and thought we could clear out all those clothes and baby supplies. That thought lasted until I saw the first foster mom (and they are making them really young these days) hauling a little baby or little kids into our office because they had been placed with them them in the middle of the night and were so grateful for the help because the state support takes a little time and frankly doesn't cover all the needs.

So, I give three cheers to the diaper needs awareness legislation and would remind people you don't have to even wait for a special occasion or proclamation, just bring some diapers and baby supplies down to your local CASA Program (one in all 7 regions of the state) and they will be grateful to get them.