OLYMPIA -- Children are safer and better protected from repeated abuse and neglect when social workers more quickly respond to allegations of maltreatment, according to new data from the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).

A DSHS Children's Administration analysis http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/pdf/ca/VictimRecurrence.pdf

concluded that about 195 children were protected from re-abuse due to workers responding to allegations of abuse or neglect within 24 to 72 hours, depending on the severity of the allegation.

The quicker response times were mandated by Gov. Chris Gregoire. She told DSHS that social workers needed to have face-to-face contact with children at high risk of harm within 24 hours and within 72 hours for children who are not in imminent danger.

"I began my career as a caseworker and the prevention of child abuse and neglect has always been one of my highest priorities," said Governor Gregoire. "This was a common sense decision – our children deserve nothing less.  I am proud of the way frontline workers rose to this challenge to protect children by responding faster to reports of abuse."

"Hard and persistent work by staff to meet the new timelines and visit with vulnerable children more quickly is having a very positive effect in keeping children safer," said Cheryl Stephani, assistant secretary for the Children's Administration. "So many workers know they make a difference in the lives of families and children, but we don't often see the positive results this soon."

The analysis showed a marked decline in repeat abuse for those children who are less at risk and are visited by social workers within 72 hours. The reduced abuse rate was similar but smaller for kids at high risk who are seen within 24 hours.

All told, there was a 25 percent decline in repeat abuse for both types of referrals six months following the initial allegations. The low rate was maintained whether the abuse allegations were founded, unfounded or inconclusive.

The 24-hour policy became effective in April 2005. Workers meet this timeline about 95 percent of the time. The 72 hour visits began in August 2005 and are met about 90 percent of the time.

In addition to visiting with children more quickly, the governor also said social workers needed to visit with children getting services from the Children's Administration more often. In October, social workers began to make 30-day visits with children who are living with their parents but are under state care.

The governor supported funding in the 2006 supplemental budget to begin hiring nearly 200 new staff to support the 30-day visits to kids. Her plan calls for additional workers in this next biennium who will visit all kids in state care, whether in their own homes or in foster care.