Supervisors tap Social Services chief to lead troubled agency

Philip Browning, director of L.A. County’s Department of Public Social Services, has been tapped to serve as interim head of the child welfare department, the latest in a revolving door of leaders for the embattled agency.

Browning’s name was put forth Friday by county Supervisors Michael D. Antonovich and Zev Yaroslavsky and will be considered at the five-member board’s next meeting on Tuesday.

“Philip's leadership and management skills as a current department head qualify him to lead and manage [the Department of Children and Family Services] with a focus on improving outcomes for children and families while the county completes its search for a permanent director,” Antonovich said.

If approved by the board, Browning will take the interim position Sept. 16, when current director Jackie Contreras steps down. Contreras, who announced her resignation Monday,is the third director to leave DCFS in nine months.

The agency has come under harsh criticism and significant scrutiny after a Times investigation revealed that more than 70 children had died since 2008 of abuse or neglect after coming to the attention of social workers.