Harrison County Youth Court Judge Mike Dickinson appeared before the Board to provide an introduction, for informational purposes only, to a series of presentations addressing key issues in child welfare. The following individuals presented to the Board on behalf of their respective organizations: a) Retired Youth Court Judge John Hudson opened the session with an overview of Mississippi law governing the procedures and legal standards for placing a child into custody under the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services (MDCPS). b) Sean Couch, representing the Center for Children and Family Futures / National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare (NCSACW), discussed best practice standards for enhancing child welfare services, with particular attention to the care of infants born exposed to illicit substances. c) Christopher Church, of Casey Family Programs, presented data on child welfare in Harrison County from 2003 to the present, including comparisons with (1) other counties in Mississippi, (2) statewide data, and (3) national trends. His presentation included information on the number of children in custody, removal and re-entry rates, and foster care placements. d) Andrea Sanders, Commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services (MDCPS), concluded the session by addressing current CPS policies, relevant regulations, and the ongoing challenges impacting the child welfare system in Mississippi.

Committee

Board of Supervisors

Introduced

May 2, 2025

On agenda

May 9, 2025