State finds violations at Montezuma County Social Services

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State finds violations at Montezuma County Social Services

Ombudsman finds dozens of violations while investigating 15 cases

State finds violations at Montezuma County Social Services

State recommendations for improving child welfare

The following are six recommendations by Colorado’s Child Protection Ombudsman after a nine-month investigation that revealed violations of state law and regulations at Montezuma County Social Services.
1. The Colorado Department of Human Services, which oversees county Social Services, should conduct an on-site audit of Montezuma County child welfare cases. The audit should include face-to-face interviews with child victims in a timely manner. The audit should assess the implementation of correct response time frames for reports of child abuse and neglect. The audit should be used to identify trends in the system that need improvement, and improvement plans should be developed. The findings should be submitted to CPO.
2. The CDHS should provide the MCDSS technical assistance in developing protocols and ensure the MCDSS is in compliance with state laws and regulations which requires cross-reporting of child abuse allegations between county departments and local law enforcement agencies.
3. The CDHS should provide technical assistance to MCDSS staff to ensure they can demonstrate a clear understanding of state regulations and requirements for:
a. Initial response and assessment of reports of child abuse and neglect.
b. Requirements for handling ongoing cases.
4. The CDHS should ensure the Montezuma County Social Services is in compliance with state regulations outlining that county departments have a conflict resolution process. The CDHS should work with county Social Services to develop policies for ensuring the public is aware of the resolution process and their right to submit concerns about social service employees who handle child welfare cases.
5. Montezuma County Social Services should expand its conflict of interest policy to incorporate the following elements:
a. When to disclose prior or current personal relationships between MCDSS staff and individuals involved in child welfare cases.
b. How to document reported conflicts of interest in all child welfare cases.
c. Provide written guidance and training for employees regarding how to address conflicts of interest, including but not limited to, when an employee needs to be removed from a case.
The MCDSS should also make its conflict of interest policy available to the public.
6. Montezuma County Social Services should evaluate its relationships with citizens and child protection stakeholders. To do this, the department should:
a. Utilize an independent mediator to facilitate a meeting with citizens and child protection stakeholders that allows them to provide the department feedback regarding its practices and engagement with the community.
a. This information should be compiled by the county Social Services and utilized to create a strategic plan to improve communication and transparency with the broader community. This plan should be made available to the public.

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