EDITORIAL: Turning the page on child services?

The numbers are staggering: Montana has nearly 3,200 children in foster care this year, up more than 100 percent from the 1,507 children in the program in 2008.

But this is a human problem, not a math problem, and we are happy to see real — not abstract — solutions being put in place in the realm of Child and Family Services in Montana.

Last week, the Inter Lake had two front-page stories reporting on promising developments.

Locally, Scott Warnell has taken over as regional administrator of the newly created Region 6 of Child and Family Services, an area that covers Flathead, Sanders, Lincoln, Glacier, Teton, Pondera and Toole counties. Previously, family services for these counties were administered out of Missoula and Great Falls.

Now Kalispell will take the lead role for Northwest Montana, providing a more immediate response to the urgent need. Warnell is a perfect choice to make sure that need is met. His 22 years on staff at the Kalispell Police Department, including his service as captain of police investigations, makes him fully aware of the dangers facing children in dysfunctional families in an era of increased drug use and economic uncertainty.

In addition, a statewide commission met Tuesday to make the case for significant changes in the Child and Family Services Division, starting with more funding, but also including changes in workplace culture, retention and communication.

The Protect Montana Kids Commission was appointed by Gov. Bullock last year after numerous allegations of abuses within the division were reported in the press. With a legislative session set to start in January, we hope these timely recommendations get a fair hearing. Children and families deserve at least that much.

We wish Mr. Warnell the best as he brings new leadership to Child and Family Services in Northwest Montana. He has earned our confidence as a result of many years of public service, and if he is given the tools to do his new job, we believe he will succeed in helping to restore public confidence in this vital state agency as well.