1. 1 Milwaukee County Child Welfare Legislative Audit Bureau March 2007

2. 2 Audit Timeline u LAB released two reports in February 2006: –program issues (report 06-1); and –finances and staffing (report 06-2). u Joint Legislative Audit Committee held a public hearing in March 2006 in Milwaukee. u The Department of Health and Family Services reported to the Joint Legislative Audit Committee on March 1, 2006, October 2, 2006, and February 1, 2007.

3. 3 Key Facts and Findings u From January 2001 through June 2005, program expenditures totaled $493.7 million. u From January 2004 through June 2005, 30.9 percent of investigations of abuse and neglect exceeded the 60-day statutory time limit. u Early in 2005, only 27.4 percent of court-ordered services for families were provided in a timely manner. u In 25 of 48 cases in which children were removed from their homes, we identified problems in achieving permanent placements for children.

4. 4 Key Facts and Findings u 20 percent of children reunified with their parents reentered out-of-home care within 24 months. u Coordination of service delivery between child welfare, Medical Assistance, and other support programs needed improvement. u We found $677,694 in unallowable and questioned costs charged to the program by six contractors.

5. 5 Audit Recommendations u Improve the timeliness of investigations and the delivery of court-ordered services. u Reduce the time children spend in out-of-home care. u Ensure the adequacy of safety services. u Improve service coordination with Medical Assistance, W-2, and other social services providers.

6. 6 Audit Recommendations u Monitor families who return for additional safety services within 12 months. u Monitor families who have children placed in out-of-home care in the 12 months following receipt of safety services. u Enforce contractual provisions if returning cases exceed prescribed rates.

7. 7 Audit Recommendations u Ensure that all children in out-of-home care receive annual medical and dental examinations. u Continue to work to improve the retention of child welfare staff. u Appropriately calculate compliance with performance standards specified in the settlement agreement.

8. 8 Audit Recommendations u Collect and analyze information on services that contractors provide to families. u Monitor and assess La Causa’s financial condition and debt. u Require contractors to repay unallowable costs and either repay or provide additional documentation for questioned costs.

9. 9 Audit Recommendations u Ensure that new staff complete pre-service training before managing cases. u Require Lutheran Social Services to reimburse state agencies for public funds spent on unallowable costs.