Downriver Today

State Representative Jamie Thompson has highlighted procedural shortcomings in Michigan's child welfare system following a new audit report. The audit, conducted by the nonpartisan state Auditor General’s office, examined the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) program responsible for child placement under the Interstate Compact On the Placement of Children. This compact aims to ensure cooperation among states for placing children in suitable environments.

The audit identified several areas where DHHS needs improvement, including timeliness, performance, documentation, and monitoring of caseworkers' face-to-face visits and supervision reports for interstate-placed children. Recommendations from the audit include more detailed supervision reports and timely completion of home study reports and placement decisions.

Rep. Thompson stated: “Verification and reporting on the part of the state through face-to-face contact with placed children is critical to ensuring their safety.” She emphasized that without proper verification procedures, it is uncertain if Michigan children or those coming into Michigan are safe.

The audit found significant lapses in obtaining required supervision reports for out-of-state placements. In some cases, reports were not provided for over 270 days or even up to a year. Furthermore, initial face-to-face visits were not conducted within 30 days as required for nearly one-third of sampled children placed within Michigan.

“This isn’t just about filling out paperwork... This is about the safety of Michigan kids whose care is in the hands of the state,” Thompson said. She expressed hope that DHHS would implement process updates benefiting Michigan’s children and committed to maintaining communication with the department to ensure these recommendations are adopted effectively.

Thompson has been an advocate for child protection throughout her legislative term. She previously requested a performance review at Northville Township's Hawthorn Center regarding patient care issues. The Auditor General’s office agreed to investigate allegations there as well as other psychiatric hospitals run by the state.