State Rep. William Bruck today said procedural mistakes and inaction from a state department charged with protecting Michigan’s most vulnerable amounts to a dereliction of duty.

Bruck, who serves on the House Oversight Committee, questioned DHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel on Tuesday about a situation in Monroe County involving Children’s Protective Services (CPS). The county sheriff, Troy Goodnough, disclosed in reports that his deputies did not receive sufficient communication, guidance or intervention from state officials on multiple occasions over a prolonged period beginning in 2023 after the deputies found two small children, a mother and grandfather living in squalor inside of a tent and, in another instance, inside of a car.

“Law enforcement noted that one of the children had a severe case of head lice and could not remember the last time she took a shower,” said Bruck, of Erie Township. “It’s embarrassing that when given the opportunity to come clean, the director chose to instead waffle on what defines child abuse or neglect. It came across that any correcting steps that may have been taken came far too late. Director Hertel went so far as to claim that CPS stepped in and provided care — when in reality, it was Sheriff Goodnough and local nonprofits who took action to support the kids.

“What would the department do differently or how would they update their policies to protect kids who may find themselves in a tragic situation like this and ensure their well-being? Somehow, CPS was unaware at times this family wasn’t in a shelter. Who was ultimately accountable for that lack of awareness? We were never told. I would have liked to have heard the answers to that vital information instead of the papering over of past missteps.”

Bruck also expressed concerns about whistleblower protections for people in the department who speak out about potential wrongdoing, as well as errors with how the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is implemented.

“There are only a few corporations in Michigan that take in more money than DHHS, and the department has a 10 percent error rate in SNAP benefit distribution,” Bruck said. “As a business owner, a 10 percent error rate would never fly. Customers or shareholders would not put up with it, but somehow in government it’s accepted and there’s little accountability. That’s wrong.”

The committee spoke with Hertel about child welfare concerns, the state’s mental health care system, welfare fraud, full-time positions that are budgeted but not filled, and more, outlining various issues involving the department.

“We consistently hear from the department about being underfunded,” Bruck said. “I don’t believe the department needs to hire more people to do the job. Children are not being protected — and in some cases are tragically dying — due to the failures of DHHS. Yet not a single employee has been identified as having been reprimanded or fired. Director Hertel said she needs more people. They do not need more people. They need the right people who understand the importance of follow-through. Going forward, our committee will continue to provide critical accountability for a department that has showed it is clearly struggling to fulfill its role.”