A biennial audit of the North Dakota Department of Human Services says social workers aren’t checking on suspected victims of child abuse and neglect in a timely manner.
DHS policy requires face-to-face contact with suspected child abuse victims are to occur between 24 hours and 14 days, depending on the severity of the abuse. In severe cases, the contact should be within 24 hours. State auditor Josh Gallion says DHS is averaging 13 days.
“As a father, I want to raise awareness if there is child abuse going on in North Dakota,” Gallion said. “We can do better and we must do better.”
Gallion says it might mean the Department needs more resources – and more workers – to meet the guidelines.
State human services director Chris Jones says DHS agrees with the audit report’s assessment. He says the COVID pandemic exacerbated that issue.
“We had inklings that because of COVID, we were not going to be able to get out into as many homes going forward, number one,” Jones said. “So, number two, that volume increased. Number three, we have a workforce shortage and we’re not able to keep up with the market as it relates to paying for these child welfare workers across the state. They are doing yeoman’s work as it relates to trying to make sure that children are protected.”
Hurdsfield Republican Representative Robin Wiesz chairs the House Human Services Committee. He says he doesn’t think anyone could have anticipated the tremendous increase in child abuse complains and investigations.
He said: “As we go into the 2023 session, the Legislature is going to take a very hard look at the resources we need to make sure we are protecting the most vulnerable people of this state. Nobody wants to see a complaint going 13 days without being investigated.”
The audit report also said some childcare providers are operating without proper re-inspection of corrective orders. It says this could jeopardize the health and safety of children.
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(KNOX/ND PPR)
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