Transparency In The Child Welfare System
http://thekojonnamdishow.org/shows/2012-07-12/transparency-child-welfare-system
Last week, a toddler in Prince George's County was murdered by her 12-year-old foster brother. Maryland's Department of Human Resources pledges a thorough investigation, but many advocates say the case highlights the lack of transparency and public accountability within some of our region's child welfare systems. We explore the tricky balance between privacy concerns and the public's right to know.
Guests
Matthew Fraidin
Associate Professor of Law, David A. Clarke School of Law, University of the District of Columbia (UDC)
Melissa Rock
Child Welfare Director, Advocates for Children and Youth
Comments
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I called in to your program about transparency when Melissa Rock was in studio on July 12, 2012.
Unfortunately, I was unable to continue my comment on air about HB 1141 which passed in the Maryland General Assembly in 2010 in response to DHR receiving an F from First Star. After the legislation was passed, DHR received a C, but that grade did not include an evaluation of the implementation of the law which is deficient. Because no regulations have been promulgated by the Department even though certain advocates have requested that that be done DHR generally has no time limits imposed on itself to release information. Also, having reviewed some of the information that First Star finally received, after several requests, it is clear that the redactions, some of which were not required by law, made it very difficult to understand what had actually happened. Moreover, the summaries provide very little information. Certainly, Maryland needs to do much more to adequately implement this law so that the public can know how well DHR is actually protecting children and that necessary systemic changes can be proposed. Statistics generated by DHR are insufficient, and promises to do better need to be followed up upon by advocates rather than just accepted.
As you said, sunlight is the best disinfectant. In Maryland, in my view, the state has not allowed the sunlight to shine.