Report Cites Delays, Missed Warnings in Alameda County Child Welfare Cases

Alameda County’s Department of Children and Family Services regularly fails to investigate allegations of child abuse and neglect in a timely manner, leaving children in potentially unsafe situations, according to a new state report.

In a report released Tuesday, state auditor Grant Parks found the department often did not start investigations within the required timeframe, failed to adequately report critical incidents at its Transitional Shelter Care Facility and did not ensure foster youth received necessary physical and mental health services promptly.

“Until the department addresses these significant shortcomings, it cannot ensure that it is taking sufficient action to address the health and safety needs of Alameda County’s youth,” Parks wrote.

State Sen. Aisha Wahab, D-Fremont, requested the audit last year amid ongoing concerns about the county’s foster care system, which has faced criticism after several high-profile cases where officials seemingly failed to act despite repeated warnings.

“I am requesting this audit due to years of issues within the Department of Children and Family Services within Alameda County’s Social Services Agency, especially concerning foster youth,” Wahab wrote in April 2024. “There are clear systemic failures and a lack of administrative planning to support foster youth with emerging and complex needs.”

The 2022 death of 8-year-old Sophia Mason drew criticism from family members and advocates after social workers reportedly missed multiple warnings of possible physical and sexual abuse. A Bay Area News Group investigation found that clinicians at Kaiser Permanente documented bruising and possible cigarette burns roughly six months before her death, but a social worker later concluded the concerns were unfounded.

“As a former foster youth, I know firsthand the difference that social services can make-and the damage when things aren’t up to standard. That is why we requested this audit,” Wahab said in a statement to KQED. “The findings are indisputable: Alameda County Social Services has failed too many children and families who rely on it the most. These are children in vulnerable situations and vulnerable communities.

“All kids deserve better, and it is unacceptable for government to fall short in its most basic duty of care. This audit is not the end of the conversation — it is a call to action. We must urgently rebuild trust, deliver accountability, and ensure every child has the support and protection they need to thrive.”

The county’s foster system also faced scrutiny following the 2015 fatal overdose of 3-year-old Mariah Mustafa, who had been returned to her foster home two weeks after being hospitalized for ingesting methamphetamine.

“Foster youth are some of the most vulnerable people in our community, especially young children,” Alameda County Board of Supervisors President David Haubert said. “We’re going to continue to up the pace of hiring new people, training them to do their job on time and effectively and hold them accountable for doing that.”

For immediate referrals, where youth are in imminent danger, investigations must begin within 24 hours. The audit found that the department met that standard in nearly 90% of cases.

For non-immediate referrals, which must begin within 10 days, investigations were started on time in only about half of cases.

Investigations also exceeded the required 30-day completion window. During the 2023–24 fiscal year, the average investigation for half of non-immediate referrals lasted 105 days.

“Although delays in initiating investigations of the referrals that we selected for review were beyond the department’s control — when, for example, the department was unable to contact a family member after repeated attempts — the department could not always demonstrate why its completion of investigations took so long,” Parks wrote.

The report cited high vacancy rates among child welfare workers as a contributing factor, which doubled from 17% to 34% between the 2019–20 and 2024–25 fiscal years.

Parks recommended that the department take several actions by January, including periodic reviews of referrals and timely supervisory review of investigation reports.

Other changes recommended by next October include a staff survey to identify recruitment and retention barriers, increased documentation of service referrals and at least monthly reviews to ensure youth receive services within agreed-upon time frames.

The county’s Social Services Agency, which houses the Department of Children and Family Services, did not return a request for comment.