Councilmember Wells has successfully maneuvered 2 bills through passage at today's Legislative Meeting.  These measures are the opening shots in a battle to confront the underlying causes of the Jacks/Fogel tragedy.  They will be followed by Tommy's other measures to "Mend the Safety Net" that Banita Jacks and her family sadly slipped through.

The Child Abuse and Neglect Investigation Record Access Amendment Act of 2008 gives CFSA critical authority to investigate claims of abuse or neglect of the District's children.  The bill allows CFSA investigators to request records from mandatory reporters when those records bear directly on an allegation of abuse or neglect.  These records had previously been unavailable to investigators until the Agency had engaged in formal proceedings.  Now investigators have the necessary tools to thoroughly investigate all reports of abuse and neglect rapidly and effectively.

The Child and Family Services Agency Grant-Making Amendment Act of
2007 allows the Agency to issue grants to community groups that provide services that enhance the lives of children in the care of CFSA.  Such projects include mentoring services for children in CFSA custody, post-permanency services, and Safe Shores, the DC Children's Advocacy Center.  This authority had been extended to the agency on a temporary basis and the passage of this measure will make this authority permanent.

These two measures will be joined by other measures – two of which were introduced today – intended to address the current inadequacies of our Child Welfare system.  With Councilmember Wells taking the lead on this crucial battle to save the District's most vulnerable citizens, our children will be safer and our vulnerable families will get the help they need.