Articles labeled: washington department of social and health services

A judge is cracking down on Washington’s Department of Social and Health Services, giving them one month to comply with a class action lawsuit settlement from 4 years ago.

Whatcom County Superior Court Judge Charles R. Snyder said the state has made plenty of promises to closely monitor the health and well-being of children in its care, but has failed to keep those promises.

“I’m not asking,” he said. “I’m ordering.”

The ruling, unexpected after Monday’s lengthy hearing, requires the state to find ways to make monthly visits to foster children, to get them prompt health screenings, to ensure that they see their siblings regularly and to keep caseloads at a level where this is possible.