Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, May 23, 1995                   TAG: 9505230106
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

IN THE NATION

WASHINGTON - A federal judge ordered the District of Columbia child welfare system into receivership Monday, saying it has been mismanaged for years and is a danger to abused and neglected youths.

It will be the first time a U.S. welfare system will be turned over to outsiders to run, according to American Civil Liberties Union lawyer Marcia Robinson Lowry, who filed the 1989 class action that led to the court order.

Under the order by U.S. District Judge Thomas Hogan, the district and the ACLU have until May 31 to suggest who should operate the system under receivership. If they can't agree, the judge will decide.

Hogan also ruled the district was in contempt of court for flouting past orders to improve services.

Children who arrive at the child welfare offices often must spend the night in the building because immediate emergency care can't be found, many others placed in homes are moved night after night, and children who might be adopted often miss their chance because social workers don't complete needed paperwork in time, the judge said.

- Associated Press