Children in foster care already face extraordinary challenges. It's unacceptable that those responsible for transporting them often lack proper training, show up late—or not at all—and sometimes operate vehicles that are unsafe or filled with smoke or trash and other harmful substances. In light of the recent, tragic, preventable death of KJ Starkes, we insist that change must occur now.

The Department of Human Resources (DHR) must hold transporters to the same standards required of foster parents. These children deserve safe, respectful transportation at all times.

🚨 We're calling for urgent reforms:

🔧 Mandatory certification in car seat safety, driver safety, and trauma-informed care
🛑 Prohibit smoking or vaping in transport vehicles
🔍 Quarterly vehicle safety inspections
👮 Criminal history checks, including fingerprinting and child abuse registry screenings
🚘 Reliable transport with required seat belts and age-appropriate car seats
📱 Mandatory notification of delays or unscheduled stops
💬 Professional, respectful conduct toward children—no exceptions

Transporters must refuse to drive without appropriate car seats or if conditions compromise a child’s safety. If a child is picked up or dropped off more than 30 minutes late, a written explanation should be required. Accountability matters—not just for the child’s safety, but also for protecting transporters from false allegations.

These common-sense changes reflect what is already expected of foster parents. DHR must enforce similar expectations for transport personnel. A child’s emotional and physical safety depends on it.

While collecting information from foster parents, it became clear that these issues are pervasive across regions and cases. Families shared deeply concerning accounts: cars arriving to transport children reeking of cigarette smoke or marijuana, car seats being completely absent or improperly installed, and children not being buckled in at all. In some cases, infants were placed in car seats meant for much older children, putting their safety at risk. Others described vehicles that were filthy and unkempt, creating an unsettling and unhygienic environment for already vulnerable children. Perhaps most frustrating of all, there is often little to no communication from transporters—no warning of delays, no explanation for late arrivals, and no real accountability. These patterns aren’t isolated; they reflect a systemic failure to prioritize safety and compassion in the transportation of foster children.

✍️ Sign this petition to urge DHR and state officials to:

✅ Adopt these minimum standards
✅ Implement real oversight and accountability
✅ Ensure every foster child’s transportation is safe and respectful