NOTE: The Georgia Legislature is in adjournment until Monday morning.
Gov. Nathan Deal on Thursday announced a comprehensive review of the state’s child welfare system, effectively delaying an effort he backed earlier this year to turn the bulk of the system over to private operators.
Deal said he is forming a commission because there’s a “need for a more deliberate reform process.” The timing of the announcement comes after Senate and House lawmakers clashed over legislation that would have privatized state services such as foster care and adoption. Senate leaders wanted the state to start bidding out all child welfare services by 2017, while House heavyweights wanted a scaled-back pilot program to test privatization in select areas over a two-year period.
By creating a commission, the governor has most likely put the debate to rest for the year. Meanwhile, a separate effort to bring more transparency to the child welfare system could be at risk.
Deal’s office declined to comment on legislation that would provide the public with vast access to government files on deceased children who had come into contact with the state’s Division of Family and Children Services and revamps the state’s Child Fatality Review Panel.
The legislation, House Bill 923, was introduced after a series of Atlanta Journal-Constitution articles documented the state’s failure to adequately protect children from abuse or neglect. The AJC’s examination of 86 deaths from 2012 found that apparent errors by DFCS workers contributed to at least 25 of the fatalities.
It’s unclear whether the commission also means a delay for the legislation, which would also transfer the panel from the state’s small Child Advocate’s Office to the more robust Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Even if the bill fails to pass, Deal could still issue an executive order that temporarily transfers the panel.
Still, members of the child advocacy community who opposed the legislation seeking privatization are praising Deal’s decision to form a council to study DFCS. Critics said privatization wouldn’t address Georgia’s real problem — investigating and acting on claims of child abuse and neglect. Deal’s office said the council will review all of DFCS’ operations and will advise the governor on what changes are needed.
“As long as we have the right people at the table and it is a cross section of providers, advocates and kids in the system, then we will be able to craft a privatization model that is top-of-the-line,” said Kenneth Joe Sr., a lobbyist and a former chief administrator for DFCS.
The Child Welfare Reform Council is modeled after a council the governor appointed to study criminal justice that won praise from the child advocacy community for its careful approach.
Supporters said private companies would provide superior services to children in Georgia’s child welfare system, and they encouraged lawmakers to take action this session.
“It’s important for Georgia’s foster care children that this proposal pass the General Assembly before the clock runs out,” said Bill Hancock, the president and CEO of FaithBridge Foster Care, a nonprofit foster care placement agency. “Our state needs bold change, not just tinkering around the edges to make a real difference in these kids’ lives.”
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