Ward v. Kearney Settlement Agreement

Ward v. Kearney was a federal class action lawsuit that alleged that Broward County’s foster homes, shelters, and other residential facilities were crowded and children were not screened to determine if they present a risk to other children. It also challenged the caseload size and turnover of foster care workers. Broward County’s foster care workers had caseloads that averaged several times the nationally recommended standard, and turnover has been as high as 80% during one recent twelve-month period. We co counseled this case with YLC board members Howard Talenfeld of Colodny, Fass & Talenfeld, and Michael Dale, Professor of Law at Nova University Law School. After extensive negotiations, we settled this case in January 2000.