10:30am | In a brilliant editorial by the Los Angeles Times, the news publication called the child welfare programs within Los Angeles County a pendulum:

“[…] swinging back and forth depending on the latest outrage. Instead of progress, child welfare advocates faced the depressingly perpetual: abuse and neglect of children; the destructive cold war between politicians and bureaucrats; lack of adequate funding; policy changes spurred by child deaths rather than hard data.”

This piece was written following the abrupt resignation of then-director Jackie Contreras, who was the third departure by an agency director within nine months. Trish Ploehn, the defensive former chief, was forced out in December of 2010 while her replacement, Antonia Jimenez — who wrote the scathing report that, along with a Times investigation that reported the death of over 70 children since 2008 under the department, led to Ploehn’s ousting citing managerial deficiencies — quit following her refusal to accept the Board of Supervisors’ plans for reform.

In August of last year, the Board approved Philip Browning, then-Director of Social Services, as interim director. Browning, lauded for his efficiency and innovation within welfare program services, seemed to be a key in helping the embattled agency. And within his almost seven months, the Board has now unanimously approved his position as permanent chief.

Supervisor Don Knabe released the following statement:

“We need to ‘reboot’ our approach to child welfare. On any given day, we serve over 35,000 children.  From the moment they enter our system from a crisis situation, to the monitoring of their progress with their family or in foster care, we need consistent rules and policies across our 17 regional offices, with clear lines of accountability. Our number one priority must be the children – they must have the rights, the focus, the attention, and the support they need to grow up safely with the potential for a great future. I’m confident that Philip shares that goal and will guide the department forward in doing everything possible to protect the children of Los Angeles County.”