The independent panel has responsibility, in collaboration with Washington’s Department of Social and Health Services, and substantial input from plaintiffs, to develop outcomes, benchmarks and action steps as well as professional standards for the six areas identified in the settlement agreement. The six areas are:

• Stable placements
• Mental health services
• Foster parent training and support
• Unsafe or inappropriate placements
• Separation of siblings when placed in out-of-home care
• Services for adolescents

The settlement agreement also calls for the panel to issue progress reports regarding the settlement every six months.

The settlement agreement can be found here. A timeline identifying the key dates associated with the agreement is located here. The opportunities for public comments on draft Panel documents are identified here.

Panel members were selected by the Department and the plaintiffs; they are national experts on children’s mental health, foster care and government oversight. Individual member biographies are included in the Members section.

The plaintiffs’ attorneys include Tim Farris, a Bellingham lawyer who initiated the case, Casey Trupin with Columbia Legal Services, and William Grimm with the National Center for Youth Law.

NOTE: The panel does not become involved in individual cases in the child protection/child welfare system. Persons with concerns about these matters are urged to contact the Office of the Family and Children's Ombudsman. This office investigates complaints about agency actions or inaction that involve:

• Any child at risk of abuse, neglect, or other harm.
• A child or parent involved with child protection or child welfare services.