Wex Wimpy
October 26th 03, 06:13 PM
Audit deals blow to CPS reform
By Barrett Marson
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
PHOENIX - A highly critical state audit of Child Protective Services
released Thursday makes it harder for Gov. Janet Napolitano to
persuade lawmakers to pump more money to help reform Arizona's child
welfare system.
The auditor general found CPS caseworkers face no greater caseloads
than recommended national standards. The report did say
caseworkers and supervisors lack training.
Republicans, even those previously disposed to adding caseworkers, now
question whether more money is needed.
"My experience is that the caseworkers have too many cases. This
report seems to indicate that may not be the case," said Sen.
Mark Anderson, R-Mesa. "It sends up red flags that says even if we
give more money, maybe that's not going to help."
Anderson is the sponsor of the CPS reform bill in the Senate.
Napolitano is seeking more than $35 million to hire caseworkers and
increase their pay.
The auditor general's review, however, found that Arizona caseworkers
each averaged 12 open investigations during its review in
June, which is in line with the recommended standard of 12 cases from
the Child Welfare League of America.
The audit also found several instances where cases remained open
despite years of inactivity and even though the caseworker had
left the state's payroll. Rep. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, said the audit
makes a case for reform but not more money.
"Reform has got to take place. But we are in good standing with
caseloads," said Pearce, the House Appropriations chairman.
Napolitano and Department of Economic Security officials said the
audit is flawed because it counts supervisors who may handle
just a few cases as full-time caseworkers. In reality, they say,
caseworkers handle about 16 files at a time.
Napolitano, who is facing opposition from Republicans for her request
for additional money, said she will continue pounding her
message that CPS needs reform and extra dollars.
Napolitano points to the other findings, all of which CPS agrees with,
that training needs to be improved and supervisors need to
exhibit improved oversight of caseworkers.
"It's an opportunity for us to go legislators and walk them through
the report," Napolitano said. "It really illustrates the point that
this
agency has been underfunded and understaffed for years."
Napolitano's reforms include adding caseworkers, sending law
enforcement officers with caseworkers if a crime has been
committed and ensuring that the safety and protection of children
trumps protecting the family unit.
Dot Reinhard, a performance audit manager, defended the figures and
said her agency followed government auditing standards.
"I am confident that our numbers are good because of the amount of
time we have spent looking at the data," she said.
Rep. Pete Hershberger, R-Tucson, said the auditor general should have
taken more time to complete the report rather than do it in
time for the special session.
"They rushed it and didn't take their time," Hershberger said. "I
think there is some misleading things."
http://www.azstarnet.com/star/fri/31024CPSAUDIT.html
By Barrett Marson
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
PHOENIX - A highly critical state audit of Child Protective Services
released Thursday makes it harder for Gov. Janet Napolitano to
persuade lawmakers to pump more money to help reform Arizona's child
welfare system.
The auditor general found CPS caseworkers face no greater caseloads
than recommended national standards. The report did say
caseworkers and supervisors lack training.
Republicans, even those previously disposed to adding caseworkers, now
question whether more money is needed.
"My experience is that the caseworkers have too many cases. This
report seems to indicate that may not be the case," said Sen.
Mark Anderson, R-Mesa. "It sends up red flags that says even if we
give more money, maybe that's not going to help."
Anderson is the sponsor of the CPS reform bill in the Senate.
Napolitano is seeking more than $35 million to hire caseworkers and
increase their pay.
The auditor general's review, however, found that Arizona caseworkers
each averaged 12 open investigations during its review in
June, which is in line with the recommended standard of 12 cases from
the Child Welfare League of America.
The audit also found several instances where cases remained open
despite years of inactivity and even though the caseworker had
left the state's payroll. Rep. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, said the audit
makes a case for reform but not more money.
"Reform has got to take place. But we are in good standing with
caseloads," said Pearce, the House Appropriations chairman.
Napolitano and Department of Economic Security officials said the
audit is flawed because it counts supervisors who may handle
just a few cases as full-time caseworkers. In reality, they say,
caseworkers handle about 16 files at a time.
Napolitano, who is facing opposition from Republicans for her request
for additional money, said she will continue pounding her
message that CPS needs reform and extra dollars.
Napolitano points to the other findings, all of which CPS agrees with,
that training needs to be improved and supervisors need to
exhibit improved oversight of caseworkers.
"It's an opportunity for us to go legislators and walk them through
the report," Napolitano said. "It really illustrates the point that
this
agency has been underfunded and understaffed for years."
Napolitano's reforms include adding caseworkers, sending law
enforcement officers with caseworkers if a crime has been
committed and ensuring that the safety and protection of children
trumps protecting the family unit.
Dot Reinhard, a performance audit manager, defended the figures and
said her agency followed government auditing standards.
"I am confident that our numbers are good because of the amount of
time we have spent looking at the data," she said.
Rep. Pete Hershberger, R-Tucson, said the auditor general should have
taken more time to complete the report rather than do it in
time for the special session.
"They rushed it and didn't take their time," Hershberger said. "I
think there is some misleading things."
http://www.azstarnet.com/star/fri/31024CPSAUDIT.html