OLYMPIA -- The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) today reaffirmed its commitment to work with the Braam Oversight Panel to improve outcomes for children in foster care.

Cheryl Stephani, DSHS assistant secretary for the Children's Administration, said that in complying with the Braam SettlementAgreement, DSHS must address the well-being and safety of foster children, as well as all children in its care. The Braam class of foster children includes about 9,600 kids on any given day. Overall, the administration touches the lives – directly or indirectly – of more than 94,000 a year. Foster care makes up about 22 percent of all kids served by children's services.

The 2004 Braam Settlement Agreement created the five-member oversight panel. It is the result of a class-action lawsuit that was filed on behalf of children in the state's foster care system. The panel's first monitoring report was released today.

After reviewing the panel's report, Stephani said it does not provide an accurate view of the accomplishments and progress DSHS has made to comply with the settlement agreement.

"However, we believe the panel will work with the department to make the reports clear, functional and useful in helping us improve conditions for Washington's foster children," Stephani said.

"We are committed to the long-term process of complying with the agreement. However, changing a system that serves more than 94,000 children directly or indirectly with 2,400 employees takes perseverance, resources and a sustained effort," Stephani said. "At the end of the day, we all want the same thing. We want to keep children safe and well."

Some of the significant changes taken by DSHS to better protect children include:

• Social workers are required to see abused children within 24 or 72 hours, depending on the degree of risk
• A statewide after-hours crisis support line for foster parents and caregivers is operating
• Education advocacy coordinators are in place across the state to help foster children graduate from high school and move on to further educational opportunities
• Pilot programs are testing therapeutic foster care for kids with severe behavioral issues using evidence-based models

Funding has been received to:

• Give social workers the resources to phase-in 30-day visits to children getting services in their own homes and children in foster care
• To begin building a new computer system to help social workers manage, monitor and review child welfare cases and help monitor compliance with the Braam Agreement.

The Braam Panel monitors DSHS progress in six areas:

• Stable placements
• Mental health services
• Foster parent training and support
• Unsafe or inappropriate placements
• Separation of siblings when placed in out-of-home care
• Services for adolescents