CYFD needs to be separated from governor’s Cabinet

ment proposes would be made up of professionals from fields associated with child and family development: child psychiatry; pediatrics or pediatric nursing; counseling; social work; family law; child development; or psychology. They would have to have broad experience in working with services designed to prevent or respond to child abuse or neglect. The governor would name one, the speaker of the House one and the president pro tem of the Senate one. They would serve for staggered six-year terms, and there would be no term limits.

Their responsibility would be twofold: first, to hire a professional in the field as executive director for the department who would manage the day-to-day operations and who would be insulated from political pressure; second, to hold monthly public commission meetings, with press present and the public able to attend in person or remotely. All policy decisions for the department would be made by the commission at these meetings — in the open, with frank discussion and no secret votes.

If the amendment is acted on positively by the 2024 Legislature, it will appear on the ballot in November for the voters’ action. If it is passed then, the 2025 Legislature will have to pass implementing legislation dealing with details of the transition.

The timeline I propose would have the change completed, with commission in place and an executive director hired, by Jan. 1, 2027, which corresponds with the transition to a new gubernatorial administration.

I know many of my colleagues in the Legislature are proposing other solutions. I will listen to them carefully. But unless they offer an avenue to restoring the public’s confidence in the department and making it an attractive place for professionals to work and feel fully supported, I don’t think they will help.

I believe the commission approach will do both of those, while increasing transparency and public accountability, and to the greatest extent possible, reducing politicization.