Child Welfare from September 3, 2025

A spike in child fatalities and near-fatal injuries from early 2025 has reignited debate over a shift in policies that dictate when children are removed from a home. The head of Washington's independent child welfare system oversight body weighs in on the trend. The agency in charge of the system responds. Guests: Patrick Dowd, Director of the Office of Families and Children's Ombuds, & Allison Krutsinger, Chief Public Affairs Officer for the Department of Children Youth and Families.