Steve Carmody (2009-09-29)
A girl plays in a fountain on a hot day
ANN ARBOR, MI (MICHIGAN RADIO) -
A new study finds Michigan could save money if it did a better job of providing legal aid to parents in child neglect or abuse investigations.
In 2005, a report found county courts failed to appoint adequate legal counsel to indigent parents in child protection cases. 4 years later, a new report has suggestions for ways to improve the system. The top recommendation is to replace the existing patchwork of county policies, which vary widely in quality, with a statewide program of training and legal aid.
Vivek Sankaran is with the University of Michigan's Child Advocacy Law Clinic. He says attorneys have no time to meet with indigent clients outside the courtroom.
"Very little of that is happening in Michigan's child protective proceedings, which is delaying resolutions of cases," says Sankaran.
Sankaran says it will take time to create a new state system, but in the long run, fixing the system will save taxpayers' money by expediting child welfare investigations.
© Copyright 2009, Michigan Radio
