Supporting Monitors of Child Welfare Litigation Settlements

In several states and localities, child welfare advocates have sued public child welfare systems in federal class-action lawsuits. Typically, the lawsuits focus on the safety of children in foster care and the services these children, their families, and their foster caregivers receive. Many of these lawsuits are resolved with settlement agreements, while in other circumstances a federal court may issue remedial orders. In either situation, the public agency must implement reforms and meet performance goals. Child welfare experts are appointed by the court to provide regular assessments on the progress of public agencies on meeting commitments in the agreements or complying with the federal court’s orders. In many jurisdictions, litigation and settlements have led to system-wide and enduring improvements in services to children and families. 

Action Research supports the monitors to assess child welfare system performance and the progress of state-level reform efforts. We analyze administrative data, verify data quality, validate performance calculations, and identify trends and patterns. Our monitoring portfolio includes work in five states. See below for more on the states and the litigation involved, along with links to external websites that provide additional information.

(As part of neutral monitoring teams, Action Research makes no comment on the nature or status of the monitoring in these jurisdictions. The links below are for information only and not an endorsement of the organizations hosting those sites) 

Michigan

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and the plaintiff in the lawsuit Dwayne B. v. Snyder signed a settlement agreement in 2006 that committed Michigan to an overhaul of the state’s child welfare system. Action Research is part of the monitoring team led by Public Catalyst. 

To see the latest reports from the monitoring team and related information, see the MDHHS page. To read the complaint, the settlement, and other documents, see the plaintiff's page. 

Oklahoma

The Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) developed the Pinnacle Plan in 2012 to reform its child welfare system as part of the Compromise and Settlement Agreement in the federal class-action lawsuit D.G. v. Henry. Action Research is part of the monitoring team led by Public Catalyst. 

To read the complaint, the settlement, and other information, see the plaintiff's page. To read the Pinnacle plan and related materials developed by OKDHS, click here.  

Texas

The federal class-action lawsuit M.D. v. Abbott has resulted in remedial orders issued by the federal district court. Action Research is part of the monitoring team led by Public Catalyst and Texas Appleseed. 

For more information, read the Monitors’ first report issued in 2020 and their second report issued in 2021. To see legal documents related to the case, see the plaintiff’s page. 

New Mexico

In 2020, New Mexico settled the federal class-action lawsuit Kevin S. v. Jacobson as reported by the New York Times. Action Research is part of the monitoring team led by the Center for the Study of Social Policy.  

To read the complaint, the settlement, and other information, see the plaintiff’s page. 

Kansas

In 2021, a federal judge approved the settlement of the federal class-action lawsuit M.B. v Howard as reported in The Imprint. Action Research is part of the monitoring team led by the Center for the Study of Social Policy. 

To read the complaint, the settlement, and other information, see the plaintiff’s page.