Carson applauds bill to strengthen oversight, child advocacy at DCYF

Senator Sharon Carson (R-Londonderry) issued the following statement on the passage of HB 400:

“The Senate’s passage of HB 400 is a significant step towards improving our mental heath care services as well as providing important restructuring to New Hampshire’s Division of Youth and Families.”

“Serving as a member of the Commission on Child Abuse Fatalities, it is evident that DCYF is in need of structural changes to ensure our state’s children at risk of abuse and neglect are the central focus. This bill, HB 400, included a plan I worked on to restructure the Division within the Department of Health and Human Services to provide increased oversight and the state’s ability to ensure the safety of our children remains our top priority in neglect and abuse cases.”

“This legislation establishes a new position of the Associate Commissioner of Health and Human Services who is appointed by the Governor and will be responsible for overseeing DCYF specifically. In addition, this bill provides the framework for the Office of the Child Advocate which will have independent oversight within DCYF and will ensure the division is following appropriate practices while providing an additional layer of protection for children.”

“We will continue to build on these changes to strengthen DCYF and the protections this state can provide for our kids.”