Failure lurks in foster-care system

The state Children's Administration has been unable to improve the foster-care system promised under a landmark lawsuit settlement — a troubling development that could send the case back to the courts.

Returning to an expensive and protracted court battle is the last thing either side should want. The Department of Social and Health Services, which oversees child welfare, agreed two years ago to a list of improvements to settle a nearly decade long class-action lawsuit.

The Legislature carved an extra $20 million from the recently passed supplemental budget to hire nearly 200 additional social workers and other personnel. DSHS embarked upon a flurry of plans and strategies designed to dramatically improve the system.

It isn't enough.

A panel of national experts monitoring the efforts found Children's Administration way behind schedule. The agency has not completed 32 of the lawsuit settlement's 45 required action steps.

Director Cheryl Stephani said her agency is doing the best it can. Stephani offered reasons that appear to split hairs. Some of the agreed-upon steps required several tasks and some of those, but not all, have been completed. An aged computer system prevented the department from providing proof of other completed work.

Stephani wants an A grade for her work. An E for effort feels more appropriate.

Systemic change in government is difficult to achieve, often coming at a glacial pace. But where dependent children are concerned, we ought to push for better, swifter reform.

Multiple placements for young children are still happening despite having been the impetus for the Braam lawsuit after its namesake, Jessica Braam, was bounced through 34 foster homes.

Social workers still aren't seeing each foster child every 30 days, a requirement put in place by Gov. Christine Gregoire. An effort to keep siblings together appears weak.

For a governor who campaigned on improving the lives of our youngest citizens, Gregoire has to push harder on child-welfare reform. She must leave DSHS with no excuses for not delivering on promises made to improve the lives of foster children.