Oregon Public Broadcasting

Washington State officials promised prompt action after critical reports about Child Protective Services in the Northeast part of the state.

The Department of Social and Health Services says now that progress is being made. Advocates say the jury is still out. Correspondent Austin Jenkins reports.

It's been almost three months since state ombudsman Mary Meinig issued her call to action.

It said a breakdown in communication was putting children and families at risk in the rural Northeast corner of Washington state. She recommended several changes.

DSHS responded by announcing 30-day and 60-day action plans. Now department spokesman John Wiley says those plans are being implemented and complaints are down significantly.

John Wiley: “The Area Administrator who is up there full-time now has been since shortly after the Ombudsman's report came out has been reaching out to the community and our partners up there and I think everyone is trying to work together to do the best they can to keep children safe and find them permanent homes.”

Patty Markel is the court advocate for abused and neglected children in Northeast, Washington. She agrees relations between state child protection workers and the community have improved. But Markel says people are gun shy about whether the changes will last. She adds there's still work to be done.