Judge orders foster care reform in Fulton, DeKalb

An order issued by a federal judge Monday says Georgia child welfare officials must do a better job of finding permanent homes for 500 children who have been in foster care at least three years. The order by U.S. District Judge Marvin Shoob is part of a settlement to a lawsuit brought by a non-profit group to reform foster care systems in Fulton and DeKalb counties. Children’s Rights Inc. accused the state Division of Family and Children Services of contempt of court for not finding homes for the 500 kids. The order calls for DFCS to set-up a special unit to organize better efforts for reviews and strategies helping to find children permanent homes.

State installs new child welfare chief

There is a new state child welfare chief. Georgia’s state human resources commissioner announced 38-year-old Mark Washington takes over the post. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports Washington comes from his previous job as the head of Kentucky’s child welfare system. He joins a Georgia agency beset with deep budget cuts that are putting a strain on staff levels and services for children and families.

Child welfare chief resigns

Georgia's top child welfare official is calling it quits. Mary Dean Harvey, head of the state Division of Family and Children Services, will leave the post at the end of April. A spokeswoman for the Department of Human Resources said the decision had nothing to do with a review Governor Sonny Perdue is conducting of the department and its operations.

Report: State leaves children in danger

Georgia’s child welfare system leaves children in danger, according a federal review.

The preliminary review found that Georgia leaves welfare children in homes where they are being maltreated, and doesn’t accurately report that abuse.

The review also found that the state is not investigating cases of children sexually abusing other children while in care.

The review covered cases in Fulton, Floyd and Walton counties.

Today Georgia’s Child Advocate Dee Simms characterized Georgia’s performance in taking care of children as getting a grade F.