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<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Friday, January 19, 2007 Bill to reshape DSHS faces an uphill battle By Whitney Cork / Herald Writer OLYMPIA - An Arlington lawmaker made her case Thursday to break up the massive Department of Social and Health Services by creating an independent agency to handle all child welfare issues. State Sen. Val Stevens, a Republican, outlined to the Senate's human services panel her bill to improve the state's services for children and families by creating a new agency. "An independent agency will be more efficient and more effective," she wrote in the legislation. Stevens' bill faces resistance from fellow senators, the leader of the service agency and Gov. Chris Gregoire, all of whom view the proposal as cumbersome and disruptive to current reforms. "There are already a wide range of changes and initiatives under way regarding child welfare services," said Kari Burrell, policy adviser to Gregoire. "The governor feels that reorganization of the department at this time would impact reform efforts." Stevens' proposal for what would be called the Department of Family and Children's Services was recommended by a task force created by the Legislature in 2005 to examine the effectiveness of Washington's child welfare system. Stevens served on the task force. The task force formed after the death of 4-year-old Sirita Sotelo of Lake Stevens. Sirita was beaten to death by her stepmother in 2005 while living with her father under state supervision. The incident prompted public scrutiny and claims that the size and complexity of DSHS hinders the effectiveness of its children's services. Stevens said that this standard of inadequacy has become a staple of the agency. "There is a culture within the children's administration which does not favor the welfare of children," she said. "This agency needs a culture change." Laurie Lippold, speaking on behalf of task force member Sharon Osborne of Children's Home of Washington, supported the legislation. "You can change the culture best when you have a smaller entity," she said. State Sen. James Hargrove, D-Hoquiam, was disappointed with the governor's position. "We won't be satisfied with just doing more of the same," said Hargrove, who is chairman of the Senate Human Services and Corrections Committee, which is considering the bill. He and Stevens said they want to discuss the issue with Gregoire. Sen. Debbie Regala, D-Tacoma, served on the task force and opposed the recommendation for a new agency. She agrees with the governor's position that the bill is a distraction from more worthwhile efforts. "Rearranging the administration structure simply takes our eye off of the ball," she said. Cheryl Stephani, assistant secretary for DSHS Children's Administration, echoed the sentiment. "A new model to make social work consistent across the state is in development," she said. "I believe that to veer away from this current course would take child welfare reform back several steps." Dave Woods, a lobbyist representing Washington Families United, said the focus should be on hiring and training better social workers. "How the system is organized doesn't matter," he said. "What matters is the attitudes and training of the people who are doing the work." Stevens said that issues of social worker training and caseloads would be addressed in separate legislation. "This is a complex issue and there are many factors to consider," she said. "The one area I hope we can reach agreement on is the need for major culture change." Reporter Whitney Cork: 360-352-8624 or wcork@ heraldnet.com

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