Report recommends more staff, new laws to protect children

According to an independent evaluation of the state’s child protective services, there are many changes that must occur to protect the safety of children in New Hampshire. 

The state hired the Center for the Support of Families (CSF) to conduct an independent review of the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) after the deaths of two abused children in New Hampshire. 

CSF reported their findings on Monday, December 19.  They recommend twenty changes to staffing, services, and state law.

Above all, CSF recommends more staff and better staff support at DCYF.  Right now the caseload of each social worker is far too high to ensure each report is thoroughly investigated.  A shortage of social workers also means there is a backlog of cases and limited staff to receive after-hours reports.

The report also recommends changing policy and state law so that social workers can consider the risk of future harm to children, not just evidence of past serious injuries.

CSF also recommends more services, particularly drug treatment services, for families with children at risk.  Right now if there is no evidence of serious injury to a child and a report is determined unfounded, parents receive a letter recommending voluntary services, but there is no follow-up to that letter.

Some legislators may oppose changing state law to allow social workers to consider the risk of future harm to a child.  Each year several legislators sponsor bills that would limit the ability of DCYF to remove children from their parents’ care. 

In 2011 the legislature temporarily established a Redress of Grievances Committee that heard many complaints about how family courts ended custody and visitation for parents.

How do you think New Hampshire can best protect children?  Share your opinion in the comments.