Court ends oversight of Jackson County's child-welfare system

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A federal judge has ended nearly three decades of oversight of Jackson County's foster care system.

A case filed 29 years ago on behalf of five children sought to change a system that allowed youngsters to spend years wondering whether they would return to their parents or be adopted.

The courtroom was packed with child-welfare workers Wednesday when U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple issued his ruling. The decision signaled that much has changed -- not only in Jackson County but across Missouri.

"The consent decree [under which the division operated] was the impetus for reforms across the state," said Deborah Scott, a spokeswoman for the Missouri Department of Social Services.

Among the changes, foster-care workers now receive more training and generally handle fewer cases. The also have an easier time finding medical, mental-health and other services for their young charges.

And Lori Ross, executive director of the Midwest Foster Care & Adoption Association in Blue Springs, said children now spend less time in foster care before being returned home or adopted.

While children's advocates remained wary about the end of court oversight, federal oversight can be revived anytime until June 2009 if problems arise.