I really appreciate your time, and your willingness to work to improve security for hospitalized children. That says a lot about where Doernbecher's heart really lies.

When I receive confirmation from you about the above-stated points, I will work this into a follow-up to my original article. Since posting it as a guest editorial to The Zero, an international child protective web-site [www.vachss.com], I've received tremendous response—organizations such as Mothers Against Sexual Abuse, Children's Protection and Advocacy Coalition, and ChildTrauma Academy Child Trauma Programs have either linked their sites to the article or copied it in its entirety onto their own sites, and literally hundreds of people have asked to receive updates. I'd like all of these viewers to know the diligence you've shown—it's the kind of honorable reaction that needs to be noted, and a model for others to follow. And when one considers the circuitous means by which it reached you (sorry again), it makes your reaction that much more outstanding.

I'm enclosing copies of several articles pulled off the LA Times web-site: a couple about the Rio Linda case and a couple about developments in fingerprinting technology. I thought these might help you in working with OHSU management. I'm also enclosing a National Institute of Justice report titled Victim Costs and Consequences: A New Look; if OHSU management brings up cost as a reason to not implement any of the aforementioned ideas, this report should turn them around pretty quickly.

Finally, I checked with Dr. Bruce Perry at ChildTrauma Academy regarding pre-canned training for child workers. He says there are numerous such programs, and will get me a list shortly. I will, of course, pass this information on to you.

Thanks again, Ivy. And thanks to Thonna and Sandra. I now realize that sending the article to Senator Wyden before first sending it to you was inappropriate behavior, for which I (again) apologize. Again, my goal wasn't to change Doernbecher, but rather to get Wyden to consider legislation that would force Doernbecher—and every other care-provider and child-focused institution—to perform standard, fingerprint-based background checks and establish standard systems of training for those who work with children. I will continue to pursue these issues with Wyden, but appreciate that much of what I want can be accomplished by working with Doernbecher.

Sincerely,

Lou Bank