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Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin: Arkansas Human Services Department Needs Overhaul

Tim Griffin
David Monteith
/
KUAR News

Arkansas Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin says the state's Department of Human Services needs to overhaul its structure so it can better serve clients.

Griffin on Monday detailed his recommendations for changing DHS, which include eliminating its current system of divisions that he says aren't communicating well with each other. Gov. Asa Hutchinson last year asked Griffin to lead a review of the department, and the lieutenant governor delivered his recommendations to the governor on Friday.

Griffin's recommendations include establishing an office of legislative affairs to handle communications between the department and lawmakers. He also called for moving all child maltreatment investigations from the Division of Child and Family Services to the Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Division, regardless of severity.

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