Supervisors Delay Decision on Director of Children’s Agency

The fate of the embattled director of the Los Angeles County Department of Children’s Services remained undecided Tuesday after the Board of Supervisors adjourned from a lengthy closed-door session without taking action.

Board Chairman Ed Edelman told reporters that Lola Hobbs’ performance is still being “carefully reviewed” and it is not clear when a decision might be made. Hobbs spent about 45 minutes in the meeting and avoided reporters afterward. Edelman described the discussion as “frank” and “fruitful” and said Hobbs will be meeting with Chief Administrative Officer James Hankla to discuss problems in the department.

Hobbs was named six months ago to head the new department, which was created in the wake of reports of mishandling of children who are in county care and of growing public concern about child abuse. But Hobbs has drawn criticism for her management style, slow progress in getting the department organized and continuing problems at MacLaren Children’s Center, the main county shelter for abused and neglected children. In recent days, she had come under pressure from some board members to step down.

After the meeting, one supervisor’s aide said the board had agreed to reevaluate “the whole ball of wax” in the area of children’s services, including the relationship of the department to the county Commission for Children’s Services. There has been continuing friction between Hobbs and some members of the commission.