Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has ordered an independent review of the state’s child welfare agency amid growing concerns about how child abuse cases are handled
The Patrick administration has asked the Washington D.C. based Child Welfare League to look into the policies and procedures at the Department of Children and Families. Republican State Senator Don Humason said it has become too difficult for the agency to police itself.
" The commissioner and the department have to be able to convince the public they have the best interest of the children in their care in mind."
A social worker and two supervisors were fired last month after it was discovered the agency had lost track of a five year old boy whom police say is missing and feared dead. A school superintendent complained this week that social workers are slow to respond to suspected child abuse complaints reported by school officials.
