ATLANTA -- Independent monitors are expected to release a report this month on Georgia's foster care system as it relates to a federal court settlement. The independent monitors will examine the state's progress on 31 specific outcome measures, ranging from foster parent screening and training, to investigations of allegations of abuse in care, placement of children, and planning for permanancy. A report is released every six months, serving as a report card on how Dekalb and Fulton counties are meeting key criteria.

A children's advocacy group, Children's Rights, Inc. sued the state in 2002 to force improvements in foster care in Dekalb and Fulton Counties. A study by the group showed that more than 20 percent of foster children in those counties had been abused, neglected or mistreated by foster parents.

In settling the lawsuit last year, the state agreed to reduce caseloads, increase payments to foster parents, limit children in homes and insure appropriate health care for foster children.

For more information on the settlement, go to childwelfare.net or childrensright.org