Oregon’s child welfare director leaves post abruptly

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – A spokesman for the Department of Human Services has confirmed that Oregon’s child welfare director left her post Wednesday.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reports Marilyn Jones had been in charge of reforming Oregon’s foster care system and child protective services.

Department spokesman Jake Sunderland says she will remain at the agency as a consultant until Aug. 31.

Her resignation follows Gov. Kate Brown’s decision to install an oversight board and hire a team of outside consultants. They’re tasked with holding the agency accountable for making urgently needed improvements, including recruiting more foster families, finding safer placements for children sent out of state and shoring up training for case workers and supervisors.

Sunderland would not say whether Jones was asked to retire.

He says deputy child welfare director Jana McLellan will take over as interim director until a permanent replacement is hired.