May 23, 2012
The executive director of Nebraska's Foster Care Review Board is resigning from her post.
Director Carol Stitt reached an agreement Friday morning with the 11-member review board.
The board planned to give the embattled director an annual performance review Friday, and there was speculation that she would either resign or be fired.
Alan Peterson, Stitt's attorney, said there was no review on Friday and the meeting focused instead on a settlement.
Stitt will step down as director immediately, but will be retained as a consultant to the Foster Care Review Board until May 1.
Peterson said she will receive a full salary and benefits until that time.
Peterson said she intends to stay active in the business of helping children.
Below is a statement by Carol Stitt
It has been my extreme pleasure to work on behalf of abused and neglected children as the Director of the Foster Care Review Board for the last 29 years. During this time I have had the opportunity to work with an amazing staff and a dedicated group of over 300 volunteer local board members across the State.
I am proud of the incredible work being done by the staff and volunteers. For example, in the past two years we have continued to document conditions for children and the effects of child welfare reform, our budget was allowed to remain intact, and we have provided valuable information to the members of the Legislature, and to the child welfare system.
I would like to commend our professional partners for their efforts to work with us to improve conditions for children. Particularly, the members of the Legislature; Nebraska’s judiciary, guardians ad litem, and county attorneys; administration at the Department of Health and Human Services; front-line caseworkers; foster parents; advocacy organizations; and concerned citizens.
I look forward to continuing to work to serve abuse and neglected children.
