The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is working to improve the child welfare system and to raise awareness of preventing child abuse and neglect.
If you see pinwheels around town, they are part of a campaign to remind people that child abuse is preventable. There were over 16,000 child abuse and neglect cases confirmed in Michigan last year. The Children’s Trust Fund, a part of MDHHS, serves as a voice for Michigan’s children and uses April as a time to raise awareness.
MDHHS has been under court monitoring since 2008 to address problems with their child welfare management. Judge Nancy G. Edmunds referred to the oversight, saying she saw “hard work with still more to come.” She said, “But we’re starting to see at least flags toward the finish line down the road sooner than we may have anticipated in January.”
Some of the new strategies of the child welfare system include improved collaboration, quicker family reunification, keeping siblings together in foster care, limiting use of emergency or temporary facilities, and ensuring that placements with relatives are safe.
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
