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Explore our coverage of government and politics.

New DCF Commissioner Says Reforms Already Underway

Peter Hirschfeld
/
VPR
Secretary of Human Services Harry Chen (right) and Commissioner for Children and Families Ken Schatz brief lawmakers Thursday on child welfare reforms.

The newly minted Commissioner for Children and Families spoke Thursday to the lawmakers scrutinizing his department. And Ken Schatz says reforms to child protective services are already underway.

It’s been a dark year for the Department for Children and Families. The deaths of two toddlers formerly under its watch have prompted a flood of public criticism. And operations at the department are the subject of a meticulous legislative review.

But in his first appearance before the Legislature’s Committee on Child Protection, the department’s new commissioner struck a hopeful note.

“Frankly, out of heartbreaking incidents, this has been a strong process that has led to the opportunity of hearing from a variety of constituencies about the child protection system,” Schatz said.

"We intend to establish more multi-disciplinary teams around the state, to use that kind of team approach and coordination to take advantage of other professionals." - Commissioner for Children and Families Ken Schatz

Schatz briefed lawmakers on policy reforms already underway at his department. For starters, the department has instituted new protocols for returning children to homes they’d been removed from.

“Custody should not be returned to the parent until there has been an opportunity to monitor the child actually living at home with the parent,” he said.

Schatz told legislators that the department also plans to work more closely with courts, corrections officers, schools and other groups to get a better sense of the threats individual children are facing.

“We intend to establish more multi-disciplinary teams around the state, to use that kind of team approach and coordination to take advantage of other professionals,” he said.

A more comprehensive slate of proposed reforms is coming early next month, when Schatz and Secretary of Human Services Harry Chen unveil a report prompted by the child deaths.

Chen told lawmakers it was premature to disclose the details of their findings. But he said changes will be far-reaching in scope.

“We already know that we need to address policy and practice, structural issues, decision-making, community collaboration and issues around substance abuse in our recommendations,” Chen said.

A series of legislative hearings this summer have exposed numerous shortcomings in the child protection system. Social workers told of oversized caseloads, and lack of resources to adequately investigate reports of child abuse or neglect.

Doctors, school nurses and others who come into contact with abused children said they worry reports of abuse aren’t getting sufficient follow-up by DCF officials. 

Schatz said his department’s workers are in many cases “under-resourced.” Be he said he’s in the process of hiring 27 new employees, including 18 social workers, a domestic violence specialist, and a child safety manager.

"We already know that we need to address policy and practice, structural issues, decision-making, community collaboration and issues around substance abuse in our recommendations." - Secretary of Human Services Harry Chen

He said the central office has increased oversight of cases involving the most serious abuse cases.

“I come into this role understanding that the challenges are daunting. But I do have an optimistic approach that frankly thoughtful discussion … gives us reason to believe that we can make some positive strides,” Schatz said.

Lawmakers are doing case studies of 44 incidents of child abuse in recent years. Legislators say the review will likely prompt new legislation next year.

The Vermont Statehouse is often called the people’s house. I am your eyes and ears there. I keep a close eye on how legislation could affect your life; I also regularly speak to the people who write that legislation.
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