Improving the Department of Human Services

The recent death of five-year old A.J. Gibson last week was a terrible tragedy, apparently the result of long-term child abuse. A.J.'s loss leaves our community with a number of questions. Could it have been avoided? How can we best protect children endangered by abuse and neglect?

A.J. was placed in foster care in 2001 after allegations of abuse from his grandmother, with evidence that his skull had been fractured. But in November 2002, he was returned to his mother's custody. Child Protective Services ceased monitoring A.J.'s case only five months later. Since his death, police have found scars and other indications that A.J. had been abused most of his life.

During 2003 and 2004, county child protective and preventive agencies suffered an average 20% cut in county funding. While the 2005 County budget did not include new cuts, Child Protective Services is still saddled with overwhelming caseloads as a result of the earlier reductions. The nearly 3,500 allegations of child abuse and neglect made in the first six months of this year are handled by only 52 caseworkers. Child protective investigators in Monroe County carry, on average, 25 cases per month, more than twice the number recommended as a standard of practice by the Child Welfare League of America.

Since late last year, groups such as Monroe County Federation of Social Workers and The Children's Agenda have publicly warned of the dangers of this trend, particularly in light of increased reporting of abuse and neglect cases since 2004.

As a County Legislator, I would encourage the County to settle its agreement with the Monroe County Federation of Social Workers IUE-CWA Local 81381. These workers protect the most vulnerable in our society and need to have the resources and equipment to do their jobs well.

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