Lucas County Children Services has released findings from a public perception survey, WTVG reported. The agency plans to use the results to judge whether changes it is making are working.
The survey followed a task force examination of the county’s child welfare system, including LCCS, and ways to rebuild public confidence. Executive Director Randy Muth told WTVG that an outside group conducted the survey, which drew 563 respondents. He characterized it as a valid, reliable measure of community views on child welfare.
Just over half of respondents considered the agency ineffective or very ineffective at protecting children at risk of abuse or neglect and at investigating allegations of abuse or neglect. The strongest positive effectiveness ratings went to emergency shelter and respect for kinship care and extended family networks.
Among respondents who said Children Services had served them, just under two-thirds disagreed or strongly disagreed that they felt heard, valued and included in decisions about their children.
In a statement to WTVG, Muth said some findings were concerning. He said the agency did not commission the survey to hear only what it wanted, but to learn what it needed. LCCS is beginning to implement the task force’s recommendations and wanted an honest starting assessment, he said. Muth said the same survey will be sent again after changes are made to see whether the community perceives any difference. He also said public trust must be earned and that meaningful improvement for families, especially those served by the agency, will be the ultimate test.