State not at fault
in tot's death,
official says

Human Services Director Susan
Chandler says social workers need
stronger risk assessment tools

By Lori Tighe
Star-Bulletin

Human Services Director Susan Chandler today said the state did all it could to prevent the child-abuse death of 20-month-old Cedra Edwards.

"What's important to say is that this is not a case that slipped through the cracks," she said.

"A variety of services were involved, including a guardian ad litem and the court."

However, Chandler is recommending strengthening the assessment tools available to social workers.

"We have begun this with a pilot project on Maui using a risk assessment matrix, which will follow a family from intake through case management," Chandler said.

The pilot has been going on for six months.

The department hopes to have the system implemented statewide by July, said Chandler, adding that the Maui project was going well.

A second recommendation by Chandler would be to assure that all information from staff, contracted service providers and foster families includes relevant observations provided on a timely basis - and is integrated into the assessment tool.

Some critics of the department have said that visible injuries on Cedra were not noted. Jennifer Edwards, 18, is charged with murder in the Dec. 17 death of her 20-month-old daughter.

Chandler said today: "Clearly this child died. I did a careful review of this case. There's nothing we can point to. This is family violence. We all know that."

"I feel confident we are providing good services to this family," she added. "We never return a child if we feel there is a risk to the child. The question is to determine later risk."

Jennifer Edwards has received permission to attend Cedra's funeral from 2 to 5 p.m. tomorrow.