The Poloncarz administration's reform plan for Child and Protective Services is "raising questions" among some Erie County legislators. The administration submitted a plan to hire 18 additional caseworkers for Child and Protective Services shortly before last week's Health and Human Services Committee Meeting. With no time to read the lengthy plan it was moved to next week's agenda, likely delaying a vote until June 26th.
"This is something that we really shouldn't be waiting on," said Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz.
"We have a plan to address the caseload back up in Child and Protective Services. We know this plan will work. We've already talked to the legislature on it. It's time for a vote."
But Majority Leader Joseph Lorigo says they've been down this road before and need time for review. The legislature approved the hiring of seven new caseworkers last September.
"The presentation we provided to the legislators last week goes month by month," Poloncarz said.
"It shows the caseloads exploding in late October early November after the positions had been approved."
As for Lorigo calling for the resignation of Commissioner Carol Dankert-Maurer, Poloncarz says if she left now, there would be a huge hole in the Social Services department.