DYFS Survery Reveals Some Improvements, More Challenges [AUDIO]

New Jersey’s child welfare system is improving — but still faces many challenges — according to a new survey of DYFS employees.

The report, based on a survey of 524 Divison of Youth and Family Services caseworkers and supervisiors found that caseload and training has improved overall.

But, the group surveyed also gave low marks on how well the department prepares them for difficult situations in the field, according to Nancy Parello, spokeswoman for Advocates for Children of New Jersey, who helped compiled the results, “That was really interesting and a lot of that was tied to a lot of families that are resistant to have DYFS involved in their lives so they wanted more supervisors who actually had experience in the field.”

Arthur Morgan, the man accused of killing his two year old daughter this month, was investigated by DYFS after being accused of domestic violence a year ago, but the charges were ultimately dropped in court.

Parello says the report shows that there are some good points, but more challenges ahead.

“New Jersey has made tremendous progress in improving the child protection system, but there are areas that still need improvement and I think everybody recognizes that.”

The head of the state Divison of Children and Families, Allison Blake, welcomed the report — and said they are working on training, technology, hiring more bi-lingual employees and having more online services available.