A step short

A step short
December 19, 2010
Courier-Journal

On face value and at first blush, the changes proposed in how Kentucky conducts investigations into charges of child abuse make sense: interview more people involved with a child who is suspected of being abused or neglected; team experienced social workers and supervisors with newer ones to ensure all bases are being covered; and streamline work and tasks for more efficient use of time.

Changes are very much needed, and they should be a priority for the commonwealth.

As The Courier-Journal's Deborah Yetter reported last year, more than 270 Kentucky children died from abuse or neglect over the past decade — this state was No. 1 in the nation for that tragic statistic in 2007 — and many of those children were known to state child welfare officials.

A variety of issues played into the protective lapses that cost those children their lives: missed signals, cuts in funding, overworked social workers.

Patricia Wilson, Kentucky's commissioner of social services, addressed some of those concerns in the changes she outlined last week to lawmakers. She also vowed to “leave no stone unturned” in the agency's approach to improving its protection of at-risk children.

But some stones were, indeed, left unturned.  FULL STORY