Changes at LA County DCFS aim to better protect kids from abuse

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- DCFS social worker Kristel Ojeda and Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy Allison Harada pass by the Gabriel Fernandez memorial often.

Stuffed animals are still placed there, even though it's been more than 10 years since the 8-year-old Palmdale boy was killed at the hands of his mother.

The memorial is also a reminder of why Ojeda and Harada hit the streets together.

Harada said the goal is to let nothing slip through the cracks.

Harada and Ojeda work side-by-side as they answer child neglect and abuse calls in and around Palmdale.

"If there are concerns that law enforcement finds during their investigation, and we're there with them, they share that information immediately," Ojeda said.

"So there's no longer a lag between information sharing."

Pairing case works and deputies in the Antelope Valley is one way the Department of Children and Family Services has tried to better protect kids in this part of the county.

In 2023, the L.A. County Sheriff's Department received 794 child abuse and neglect complaints into its Palmdale and Lancaster stations. Last year, the number of complaints dropped to 679.

"I think things are getting better, but I'm cautiously optimistic about that," said Brandon Nichols, who took over as DCFS director in 2022.

Nichols says he's continued the trend of hiring more social workers, so case loads are dramatically reduced.

"That just allows them much more time to get to know the family, to get know their struggles, and to try to craft the services necessary to address what was going on in the family," Nichols said.

"I think that's having a huge impact."

Incoming social workers like Manuel Valdez are also going through a weeks-long training program.

When Eyewitness News met Valdez, he was going through what's called the "simulator" at DCFS Academy.

Seasoned social workers act as parents, and they simulate real-life scenarios their students will soon encounter.

"We're teaching them really how to learn how to engage, how to build rapport and to truly listen," said Edmarine Edwards with DCFS University.

"Because oftentimes, the response and what they need is in that individual's response to that question that they've asked."

DCFS is also crediting employees like Wendell White for helping the department improve.

Fifteen years ago, a DCFS social worker knocked on Wendell's door because he was arguing with the mother of his son.

He turned his life around and now helps others do the same as part of a DCFS program called Parents in Partnership, which hires moms and dads who used to be in the system.

"I understand the challenges that they may face," said White.

"Having successfully navigated this situation myself, I understand exactly what it takes to get that job done," he added.

With all these programs aimed at making DCFS a better agency to better protect children, Eyewitness News asked Nichols if he thinks the agency has received unfair criticism.

He says the criticism is fair, and it's what is pushing DCFS to do better.