Executive Summary of L.J. v. Massinga Plaintiff’s Contempt Filing & Enforcement of Consent Decree & Motion for Modification of Consent Decree

November 5, 2007 The consent decree ordered DSS to improve health care, education, and protection for children in out-of-home foster care placements. The pro-bono class attorneys monitoring DSS compliance noted in their most recent monitoring report that some children were still not receiving regular medical care, school enrollment tracking needed improvement, and that DSS still lacks sufficient appropriate foster care placements. The contempt motion asks the court to appoint an independent monitor and to order DHR and DSS to implement reforms, including restoration of child care benefits to foster parents and changing the placement and health care . . .