Gov. Sonny Perdue has assembled a three-member team to search for the next state child advocate, who monitors the state's child welfare services. The current advocate, Dee Simms, became embroiled in controversy after she released a scathing report of the Fulton County child welfare office.
Perdue's chosen recruiters have close ties to his office. Rebecca Sullivan was his executive counsel. Joy Hawkins, now with the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, served as Perdue's deputy chief operating officer. Abel Ortiz served as Perdue's health policy advisor and now works at the Annie E. Casey Foundation. They will nominate at least three candidates, and Simms could be among them. She has said that she would like to keep her post.
In March, Simms' office released a report charging the Fulton County child and family services department with bad leadership, high caseloads, and child neglect. The county director was re-assigned to a state office, but state leaders continue to defend the agency against the charges. During his first term, Perdue promised to reform the overburdened child welfare division.
Simms was first appointed to her post by Democratic Gov. Roy Barnes, and later re-appointed by Perdue. Her term officially expired in October.
Perdue's chosen recruiters have close ties to his office. Rebecca Sullivan was his executive counsel. Joy Hawkins, now with the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, served as Perdue's deputy chief operating officer. Abel Ortiz served as Perdue's health policy advisor and now works at the Annie E. Casey Foundation. They will nominate at least three candidates, and Simms could be among them. She has said that she would like to keep her post.
In March, Simms' office released a report charging the Fulton County child and family services department with bad leadership, high caseloads, and child neglect. The county director was re-assigned to a state office, but state leaders continue to defend the agency against the charges. During his first term, Perdue promised to reform the overburdened child welfare division.
Simms was first appointed to her post by Democratic Gov. Roy Barnes, and later re-appointed by Perdue. Her term officially expired in October.
