State Senator: 'How many kids have to die?'

State Senator: 'How many kids have to die?'
Eli Stokols Political Reporter
6:32 PM MST, February 25, 2010

Chandler Grafner , Neveah Gallegos
DENVER - Gov. Bill Ritter and Democratic lawmakers laid out a plan to address systematic weaknesses in Colorado's child protection system that have resulted in the deaths of a few dozen children in protective care, from Chandler Grafner, who starved, to Neveah Gallegos, who was murdered.

Sen. Linda Newell, D-Littleton, is the sponsor of a bill that would create a child protection "ombudsman", an independent advocate to oversee the child welfare system.

"In the past three years, Colorado has seen over 30 childhood abuse and neglect related deaths under our care," Newell said. "How many kids have to die before we take action?"

Thursday's action is the result of the Colorado Child Welfare Action Committee, which Ritter convened 18 months ago to come up with solutions to problems within the state's child welfare system. The ombudsman advocacy office is one of the committee's 30 ideas, 27 of which are being implemented. Right now, 29 other states have an ombudsman to oversee child protection.

"The program will provide for transparency, consistency, efficiency and ongoing input," Ritter said. "They'll help resolve complaints and assure services for children in need of protection. Altogether, this will result in better outcomes for children, their families, county departments and the child protection system as a whole."
http://www.kdvr.com/news/kdvr-xgr-child-protections-022510,0,4435829.story