All eyes on child welfare

The report, expected Tuesday, could potentially turn county agencies on their heads if it recommends layoffs, shakeups and organizational changes. Or, it could simply affirm the job being done by the Human Services Agency, which administers the county's child welfare programs.

"Anything is possible," said Nevin, one of the first county officials interviewed by Charlene Chase.

The county hired Chase in May to provide an impartial critique of its Human Services Agency. Chase, a former social services director for Santa Barbara County, spent the last month interviewing dozens of people and reviewing policies.

Nevin said he felt "very satisfied" with Chase so far but did not elaborate on his

interview. Chase did not return calls for comment. When told of Chase's hiring last month, HSA simply said it welcomed any input.

The county's child welfare system has been besieged the last year by the deaths of children in its care and an overall lack of public confidence. Although county officials convened its own committee to tackle the problems, they ultimately decided an objective viewpoint was warranted.

Although many incidents led up to Chase's hiring, the most significant was the shaking death of a foster child in its care. Human Services Agency Director Maureen Borland weathered much criticism following the death of 8-month-old Angelo Marinda during an unsupervised visit with his father on Christmas Day 2002. Rumors have floated she may be asked to step down as a result.

An internal report following Marinda's death cited a "brittle intolerance for differences of opinion" and a lack of leadership in the HSA.

Chase's report comes right before the Board of Supervisors begins department budget hearings. She will return in six months to see how her suggestions were implemented and offer any other feedback.

The report is expected to be exhaustive except for the issue of regionalized care. That angle is expected in the first weeks of July because a local committee of management and labor is still collecting information, Nevin said.

Chase's services cost the county $25,000 from the general fund.

Michelle Durand can be reached by e-mail: michelle@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 104. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.