LANSING - The Michigan Department of Human Services and the state's courts are doing an excellent job of getting foster care youths and families the support they need, according to a federal audit.

The audit, conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Families and Children, examined Michigan's use of Title IV-E foster care funds, which account for more than 50 percent of the dollars spent on foster care in Michigan. In fiscal year 2006, these federal funds provided $69.7 million to support, protect and care for foster children in Michigan.

The results of the audit are a major accomplishment for DHS and the Family Services Division of the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO).

"Exemplary is the collaborative relationship between DHS and the state court," the audit stated. "The ongoing collaboration ... is a strong mechanism to foster the understanding of the need for and timely occurrence of appropriate and meaningful judicial determinations for children with both the child welfare and legal communities."

Auditors looked at 150 cases; only four contained errors in determining eligibility. For a secondary review, states must remain below a 10 percent error rate to be in substantial compliance; Michigan's error rate was 2.67 percent.

"This is an outstanding example of cooperation and collaboration between the department and the state's courts," said DHS director Marianne Udow. "These funds are critical to help stabilize children and their families. We are grateful federal auditors recognized our efforts to maintain the integrity of the program as we protect and care for our youngest, most vulnerable citizens."

The audit particularly noted the efforts of DHS staff members working under the leadership of project manager Bill Dodge. The audit also reviewed court orders issued by family courts in the case files and praised the lack of any errors related to court orders.

"The state would not have had this success without the wholehearted support, and diligent efforts, of chief judges and family court judges throughout Michigan," Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Clifford W. Taylor said. "Indigent foster children were the ones who were going to suffer most if the state failed the audit, and the courts recognized that."

Taylor also praised Justice Maura D. Corrigan, who began working on the audit while chief justice; Steven D. Capps, deputy director of SCAO's Family Services division; and Kathryne A. O'Grady, former director of SCAO's Child Welfare Services division and now a DHS deputy director.

"This success is due in large part to their hard work and commitment," he said.