Fixing foster care

Springfield (Mo.) News-Leader

State officials shouldn't have been surprised by a federal audit critical of the state's child welfare system.

The findings echo many of the criticisms aimed at the Department of Social Services since the death of 2-year-old Dominic James.

Missouri fell short of federal standards in all seven standards related to outcomes, such as keeping children safe, providing children with permanency, preserving continuity in family relationships and enhancing families' capacity to provide for their children's needs.

DSS Director Steve Roling, while maintaining his desire to do better, complained that the federal standards are nearly unattainable. ...

Roling stepped into his position with a commitment to reform. The controversy he inherited revealed where much of that reform needed to occur. This new federal report is consistent, offering greater focus on the needs.

The department has 90 days to write a plan for improvement or lose $1.5 million in federal funding. They need to write the report and implement it for the money, of course, but even more so to ensure the children who come into their care are assured of the best possible outcome.