DOVER, DE — In light of a recent disturbing incident reported by WHYY, where a child counselor in Delaware was charged with abuse and had presented a bogus degree as his credential, State Senator Brian Pettyjohn (R – Georgetown), a member of the Senate Education Committee, has formally requested the Secretary of Education to conduct a thorough audit of the credential verification process.
“As a State Senator and a member of the Education Committee, I am deeply concerned about the safety and well-being of our children,” stated Senator Pettyjohn. “The reported case highlights a significant oversight in the credential verification process, which not only endangers our children but also erodes public trust in our education and child welfare systems.”
Senator Pettyjohn emphasized the importance of ensuring that all professionals working in sensitive and critical roles, such as child counselors, have their qualifications rigorously verified. “Professionals in these roles hold significant responsibility and trust, and it is imperative that their credentials be beyond reproach. We must identify and address any weaknesses in our current verification processes to prevent unqualified individuals from assuming positions of authority over vulnerable populations.”
In his communication to Secretary of Education Mark Holodick, Senator Pettyjohn urged for a comprehensive review of current verification procedures and the implementation of more stringent checks where necessary. The Senator also recommended the adoption of new technologies for verification, increasing the frequency of audits, and enhancing collaboration with educational institutions and professional organizations to confirm the legitimacy of credentials.
Additionally, Senator Pettyjohn called for the Department of Education to engage with stakeholders, including educators, parents, and child welfare advocates, to gather input on strengthening these processes. “Transparency in the steps being taken to address this issue is crucial in rebuilding public trust. Regular updates on the progress of the audit and any subsequent reforms would be highly beneficial,” the Senator added.
“It is crucial that we take immediate and decisive action to safeguard the well-being of our children and restore confidence in the institutions responsible for their care and education,” Senator Pettyjohn concluded. “Our children deserve to be protected by qualified professionals who have been thoroughly vetted. I look forward to working with the Department of Education to ensure the highest standards of qualification and integrity in child counseling services.”
Senator Pettyjohn is the Senate Republican Whip and represents the 19th Senate District.
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