From Deseret News archives:
Utah child welfare touted
State a model for most of country, DCFS chief says
"It takes a system of caring to make sure children get the services they need and parents have available resources," said Richard Anderson, executive director of the state Division of Child and Family Services.
Anderson was one of several speakers featured at the 17th annual Child Abuse and Family Conference at Weber State University.
With the theme of "Preserving the Innocence of Children," the event continues today and features a variety of workshops for child welfare workers, advocates, medical professionals, school employees and others who work in the arena of child abuse and neglect.
Anderson gave a slide show presentation he said demonstrates how far Utah has come in the last five years in meeting federal standards all states are required to obtain to improve how child welfare systems deal with children and families.
Noting that he travels a lot due to his service on national boards and associations, Anderson said he is always proud to return to Utah, where many of the challenges faced by other states have already been conquered.
While obtaining eight out of 14 "conformity" goals may not seem that lofty at first blush, Anderson pointed out that only one other state in the country Kansas had hit that mark.
The federal standards are so stringent, he added, it takes a whole system of people working to implement the changes.
In the last five years, for example, Utah has improved its federal review scores in the area of stability of children in foster homes, ensuring whatever placement the child receives is appropriate, meeting health-care needs of children in DCFS custody and assuring education services are provided.
While the state has improved in the area of helping families learn how to help themselves, Anderson said the state's mark still falls below federal expectations and needs to improve.
"That is a tough area," he said. "It is not just telling some father he needs counseling, but making sure he gets it."
Utah, however, is among the top in the country for the shortest lengths of stay in foster care and its ability to move children into homes of adoptive parents, Anderson said.
Comments
- AP poll: Fine print prompts worries 9:09 a.m.
- Huntsman blogs on Obama trip 9:05 a.m.
- Court acts to reinstate death sentence 8:55 a.m.
- Greenpeace chief has fought poverty 8:52 a.m.
- U.N.: Iran facility to start in 2011 8:50 a.m.
- Religious speech appeal rejected 8:48 a.m.
- Atlantis set for afternoon launch 8:45 a.m.
- Rockets at Afghan market kill 12 8:43 a.m.
- Businesses cut inventories 8:34 a.m.
- Judge overturns genocide conviction 8:33 a.m.
- Apostle's wife felt comfort in attack
- MWC expand? Get rid of deadweight
- TCU stays 4th in AP; Y. 19th, U. 23rd
- Bennett at center of GOP storm
- Win in New Mexico good for Y?
- BYU happy to escape with victory
- TCU creams U.
- Relieved Cougs prep for Falcons
- RSL heads to MLS title game
- Jazz rookies had to grow up quickly
- BYU happy to escape with victory
231 - TCU creams U.
227 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
207 - Will state consider gay rights law?
150 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
131 - RSL heads to MLS title game
128 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - Celtics crush Jazz
104 - TCU stays 4th in AP; Y. 19th, U. 23rd
102 - 3A: Hurricane advances to title game
89
Sears is holding a special VIP night Sunday, Nov. 15, in stores and online.
How do you handle kids and contests? Our oldest daughter, 7, is of the...
Uh, huh! Better recruit some SPEED.
We usually get downtown once a year to see the Christmas lights. Otherwise...
Yes, you can Google Seer Stone and at the top of the list will also be a link...
I'm tried of people who want to cut the sentences of these murders short by...
While Hall has not been perfect, you have to give him a lot of credit for the...
That was a great game played in real football weather. Thanks to all the...
It isn't a mormon times article, rather it is an LDS news article. These go...
I love Will's scathing remarks. Go RSL!!
You guys crucify BYU when they lose, remember, don't dish it out if you can't...
You can't run man coverage against TCU be smart!!!

You can be the first to comment on this story.