To view the report in PDF format, you first need to download the free Adobe Acrobat Viewer. The Acrobat Viewer will launch the file so that
you can see the document on your monitor and then print it. Download
Adobe Acrobat.
Download the Report
|
|
May 2009
 Loss of Trust: A Crisis of
Confidence in the Child Welfare System in Colville
In June 2008, concerns expressed by a state legislator and
the Stevens County prosecutor prompted the Washington Department of
Social and Health Services to ask the Washington Office of the Family and
Children's Ombudsman to examine child welfare practice in Colville,
Washington. Between June 2008 and May 2009, the ombudsman spoke with
child welfare participants and stakeholders. They included parents, DSHS
social workers, CASA volunteers, foster parents, relative care givers,
service providers, attorneys, and court administrators. The ombudsman
also investigated 62 case-specific complaints. Of the 62 complaints, 44
are closed including 16 with adverse findings and 18 are still under
investigation. The adverse findings included violations of law,
policy, procedure, clearly unreasonable actions, and poor social work
practice.
|
OPEN MINDS