A Downgraded License Is Among The Challenges New Commissioner Of Human Services Will Face
CITY HALL (CBS) -- Mayor Jim Kenney is said to be close to choosing a Commissioner for the Department of Human Services, his last major appointment.
DHS shifted to a new system, with most child welfare case work outsourced to Community Umbrella Agencies, or CUAs, two years ago, and the results have been so poor that the state recently downgraded the Department's license to provisional status.
The number of children in care rose by 50 percent, overloading CUA caseworkers leading to high turnover and more strain on the system. Acting Commissioner Jessica Shapiro told the Community Oversight Board the department is making progress but much work remains.
"I recognize there needs to be serious changes and we need to reduce our caseloads," Shapiro said.
CUA director Debbie Lacks says she was heartened to hear that.
"We're happy it's finally getting the attention and the traction hopefully to make the improvement," Lacks said.
But it will be a tall order for the permanent commissioner.