Michigan Department of Human Services Director Ismael Ahmed and former director C. Patrick Babcock today formally launched the Michigan Child Welfare Improvement Task Force. Ahmed and Babcock outlined the task force's goals, including setting the outcomes that will drive radical reform of Michigan's child welfare system.

The task force draws together committed individuals from private and public agencies, legislative leaders, advocacy groups and parents and children themselves who have experience with the system. The task force will be co-chaired by Babcock and Carol Goss, president and CEO of the Skillman Foundation. Babcock served as director of what was called the Department of Social Services from 1987 to 1991.

"Despite its challenges, Michigan's child welfare system has many underlying strengths," said Babcock, who emerged from retirement to assume his role. "This is a challenge that I simply could not resist." The task force is charged with four principal priorities, including:

• Developing the guiding principals underlying the child welfare.
  
• Reviewing and assessing current federal and state standards on outcomes.
  
• Recommending measurable outcomes for all child caring agencies, both public and private.
  
• Recommending action steps for state government to achieve these outcomes.

"We all are committed to protecting Michigan's most vulnerable children," Ahmed said. "We are focused on the end game ? what will be the best outcome for each child, and what's the best way to get there."

Goss said: "When it is necessary for children to be under the supervision of DHS, we want the best possible practices and policies to be in place. We commend the department for taking on this important work."

With more than 60 members, the task force will represent youths in care, families, state legislative and executive policy makers, child welfare and health professionals, public and private service providers and advocates. Members are appointed by the DHS director and will meet monthly. Smaller work groups may meet more frequently. A final report of its findings and recommendations is due in March 2009.

"We are proud to be part of this broad effort to improve Michigan's child welfare system and the lives of thousands of children," said Jack Kresnak, president and CEO of Michigan's Children, an independent child advocacy organization where the group gathered to announce the task force. "We hope that the joining of many voices providing different perspectives will help us to create the best situations for the most vulnerable of Michigan's citizens."