Hennepin County To Add 100 Workers To Child Protection Staff

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - A Hennepin County committee has given preliminary approval to adding nearly 100 more child protection workers.

The county's Health and Human Services Committee approved the proposal Tuesday. It goes before the full county board next month.

Reports say commissioners say every part of the department needs to be examined.

In recent months, three children with family members known to child protection services have died. One was 10-year-old Barway Collins. His father is charged in his killing.

A recent county-commissioned report says budget cuts have negatively affected every aspect of the county's child protection system.

Hennepin County will pay $3.6 million for the new hires this year out of an existing budget. But commissioners say to keep the workers will require an increase in property taxes.