Federal Monitor’s Report in DCF Case Shows Continued Concerns

The latest report from the federal monitor of the state Department of Children and Families shows that the agency maintained compliance with five of 10 measures that are part of a court supervised exit plan, but is still failing to meet the remaining five – including those related to hiring and caseloads.

“I think it’s encouraging that they maintained compliance” for half the measures, said Martha Stone, one of the original lawyers who filed the case known as “Juan F.” against the agency in 1989. However, Stone, who is executive director of the Center for Children’s Advocacy, said, “I think with a new commissioner, it’s important for them to double down on the remaining five.”

The Juan F. class action lawsuit charged that the state was failing to provide necessary services for abused and neglected children and youth. A consent decree calling for reforms was signed in 1991 and the state’s child welfare agency has been under a federal court monitor’s supervision since 1992.

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