Our analysis of child abuse and neglect statistics, admittedly complicated by a change over in administrative data systems between 1996 and 1998, adds to our alarm. The percentage of child abuse and neglect reports substantiated seems to have declined. This is exactly the opposite of what we would expect as more cases are rejected prior to investigation through what we have called triage. Inevitably, resources are an issue. It appears that the full complement of state social workers promised by the legislature and the administration in the last four years has not been hired.
Supervision is an issue.
Available resources drive placement decisions, especially as responsibility for budgeting is pushed to the regional level. We heard over and over again about placement decisions made on the basis of costs not children s best interests. We counted no less than 19 reforms underway in Kentucky. It is no wonder that Kentucky s state social workers are overwhelmed with the challenges and complexity of these efforts. Some workers are said to adopt a this too shall pass attitude toward the reforms.