The federal agency
has given the Florida Department of Children and Families has 90 days to
devise a plan to improve care for foster children.
The Department of
Health and Human Services found DCF under performing in critical areas
during an analysis of 80 cases from April 1 to September 30.
The Tampa Bay Times reports
the study found in more than half of the cases, child welfare agencies
removed children from homes without providing appropriate services and
were lax in follow up safety plans.
The study found DCF needs improvement in 11 of 14 categories.
The agency has scheduled a conference on Tuesday to come up with ways to reform the system.
Agency spokeswoman Jessica Sims says DCF takes “these findings very seriously” and will work aggressively to improve.
