LANSING, MI (AP)-- A judge in Detroit has approved an agreement that cuts some goals the state must meet to end federal court oversight of Michigan's child welfare system.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says the modified deal with national advocacy organization Children's Rights was approved Tuesday in U.S. District Court.
Children's Rights filed a lawsuit in 2006 against the state on behalf of nearly 20,000 children over foster care, child protection, health care and other child-welfare issues. Court oversight began in 2008.
Children's Rights says the state has improved foster care, reduced the number of children waiting for adoption and improved caseworker training.
It says improvement still is needed to reduce caseworker caseloads, increase visits between caseworkers and children, and improving access to medical care.
