“Recent tragedies are the failure of a coordinated protocol of County departments who come into contact with abused and neglected children and their families,” said Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, who with Supervisor Don Knabe, introduced a motion ordering an independent audit and recommendations to protect these children.

“Ensuring the safety, permanency and self-sufficiency of abused and neglected children requires the coordination of the Department of Children and Family Services as well as other departments that touch the life of that child or family during a child abuse investigation including Health Services, Public Health, Mental Health and Public Social Services,” he said.