Too much at stake
The state is correctly instituting more oversight of the homes in which foster children are placed.
Dec. 12, 2008
One thing is abundantly clear from the investigation into the death of 13-month-old Christopher Thomas Jr.: More diligence by La Causa Inc., the agency that contracted with the Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare to supervise the child's foster care environment, may have prevented the child's death.
Officials overseeing the Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare told the Editorial Board Friday that, as a result of the death, it is instituting sweeping reforms to prevent recurrence of this kind of tragedy. This includes having every child age 3 and under in foster care evaluated by a nurse during home visits. Social workers are not medical professionals and can miss the red flags of physical abuse.
This is a common-sense measure, one that should have been in place well before Christopher was beaten to death and his 2-year-old sister hospitalized. Their aunt and foster parent, Crystal P. Keith, has been charged in the death and the abuse.
The state's findings show that La Causa made numerous mistakes that kept the two children in an abusive foster home. For that, La Causa should be ashamed. And it richly deserves the scrutiny that the state Department of Children and Families will now impose.
The state, which concluded one investigation into Christopher's death on Thursday and released findings on Friday, found that the lead role in the children's case was inappropriately assigned to an inexperienced caseworker in training, who was given little support from her supervisor. Both the caseworker and the supervisor have been reassigned, according to Reggie Bicha, secretary of the state's Department of Children and Families. The supervisor has been demoted.
La Causa handles about one-third of Milwaukee foster care cases. It has been given 90 days to correct its procedures or risk termination of its contract. The state plans a second review 90 days after that. There should be absolutely no tolerance for further mistakes. Too much is at stake.
Bicha said other contractors will be similarly reviewed. But perhaps the best news Friday was the added resources the agency is now committing to home visits and to keeping foster children safe.
Bicha argued that the system is full of hard-working people, dedicated to ensuring that the state's most vulnerable children have safe homes. We agree. Error or negligence that contributes to the death of one child is one death too many.
The agency's response to this death is reasonable, measured - and needed. Now the task is to make sure no one shrinks from this commitment.
Is the state's response adequate in the death of Christopher Thomas Jr.? To be considered for publication as a letter to the editor, e-mail your opinion to the Journal Sentinel editorial department.