MANITOBA'S child welfare system is not the only one with major problems. Others across North America face similar challenges.
Here is a snapshot of some of the others and what they have done or are doing to make things better.
British Columbia
THE provincial government in B.C. was slammed by a retired judge last year for budget cuts and staff turnover causing major upheaval in the system.
Ted Hughes was commissioned to look at the system in the wake of the murder of 19-month-old Sherry Charlie, who was beaten to death by her uncle after she was placed in his care by child protective services.
Hughes blamed budget cuts, a revolving door of ministers and deputy ministers and other constant changes for massive unrest in the system. Within six months of the report, the B.C. government created an office equivalent to Manitoba's Children's Advocate, a position that had been cut when the budget was slashed.
The new advocate set as her first tasks inquiries into the deaths of four kids who died under mysterious circumstances while in protective custody.
The first inquest, scheduled for next month, will probe the system's actions -- or inaction -- in the death of three-year-old Savannah Hall, whose 2001 death was ruled as undetermined despite her body having unusual bruising, severe brain swelling and hypothermia, and reports her foster parents had strapped her into her crib with leather straps.
Another of the inquiries will look at a child who was killed after 22 abuse and neglect complaints were received by protection authorities.
Michigan
THE state has been undergoing a series of legislative changes and major fights over child welfare over the last decade. Between 1997 and 2000, 22 Michigan kids died of abuse or neglect. In 2005 and 2006 at least three kids were killed by foster parents or adoptive parents.
The state right now is facing a court challenge to force it to release the records of 67 foster kids who died since 2004.
Several laws were introduced or passed in the wake of particularly gruesome child deaths, including that of two-year-old Ariana Swinson. The little girl was beaten and drowned by her parents in 2000. Child protection workers returned her to the parents after she'd spent the first 18 months of her life living with an aunt because her parents were feared to be abusive alcoholics.
Ariana's Law, passed in 2005, gave wider powers to the Michigan Children's Ombudsman to investigate child abuse cases, including better access to case files and computer records. As well, training in child abuse and domestic violence was made mandatory for people handling such cases.
Ontario
ONTARIO updated its child protection act in 2005 to require child welfare agencies to do background checks of relatives before placing a child in their care.
The change came after six-year-old Jeffrey Baldwin starved to death in his grandmother's home. He was taken away from his parents and placed with his grandma despite her having previous convictions for child abuse. Child protection workers hadn't bothered to investigate her background.
The information about her convictions was contained in the agencies' files but the files were never checked.
Doctors said Jeffrey suffered for years before he died, and was so malnourished he weighed less at the age of six than he had when he was one.
In 2006, the Ontario government gave legislative power to the ombudsman to investigate complaints about Ontario's 53 children's aid societies.
Minnesota
MINNESOTA implemented an alternative child welfare project in 20 counties in 2000 and it was expanded statewide in 2003.
The project, known now as Family Assessment Response, reacts differently to families when they initially come into contact with child welfare.
Where a traditional response to a complaint about a child being abused or neglected would basically be an investigation to substantiate the complaint, the Family Assessment Response takes a more non-confrontational approach, assessing families for both their strengths and their weaknesses and then sets up services to help the family overcome its problems.
A review of the project found families who were dealt with using the new approach were less likely to have additional complaints of abuse or neglect, and kids were less likely to be apprehended and families received far more assistance.
Social workers reported improved morale as well as a perceived improvement in both the effectiveness the system was having, and an improvement in child safety.
How can I help?
The child welfare system can't protect children on its own. If you suspect child abuse or neglect you are encouraged to report it or if you are a parent and you need help, please call:
In Winnipeg: 944-4200
Toll-free: 1-866-345-9241
After-hours emergency: 944-4050
If you have a complaint about the child welfare system or believe it isn't doing its job to protect a child:
Manitoba Children's Advocate: 945-1364
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