There was once a time when child welfare caseworkers handled many of their own legal issues, causing legal errors, case delays and a decrease in the amount of time a caseworker spent with families.
A Department of Justice funded program put an end to that. But with a forecast of sharply falling tax revenue in the next biennium, officials say they don't know if this reform effort will survive. . . .

Rep. Chip Shields (D-Portland) this week introduced a bipartisan bill that will provide oversight of how state-chartered banks are spending  money disbursed through the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP).
The move comes at the same time another new bill would create a statewide "stimulus czar" to oversee the influx of money expected from President Barack Obama's economic plan. . . .

As the real estate meltdown affects more and more Portland-area families, local agencies are working to educate homeowners about foreclosure and mortgage scams.
Consumer complaints about moneylenders and collection agencies have bubbled to the top in the Oregon Department of Justice Top 10 Consumer Complaint Annual Report for 2009. . . .

Tiana Townsell, 24, a graduate of Western Washington University in marketing and advertising, has been crowned as the winner of the 2009 Miss Black Washington USA Scholarship Competition. In ceremonies held Feb. 28 at the Scottish Rite Center in Portland, contestants were judged on a personal interview, health and fitness, talent, a question and answer session with the judges, and deportment in an evening gown. She will advance to represent . . .

Hundreds of complaints and as many as five separate lawsuits have been filed against the Seattle School District over its plans to save money by shuttering facilities.
Meanwhile, the District this week announced its schedule of quarterly meetings to take public input on its "Excellence for All" education plan.
Officials said in a statement that the hearings will involve discussions about development of a new Student Assignment Plan. . . .

Author and talk show host Tavis Smiley will be in Seattle Thursday to talk about his new book, "Accountable: Making America As Good As Its Promise." The book is the final addition to the Covenant Trilogy, following up "The Covenant with Black America" and "The Covenant in Action."
In addition to hosting "The Tavis Smiley Show" on Public Radio International and "Tavis Smiley" on PBS, Smiley hosts and organizes the annual State of the Black Union 2009, and organized a four-year traveling Black history exhibition called "America I AM" currently in Philadelphia. He will be in Seattle on Thursday . . .

Washington consumers filed 25,197 written complaints with the Attorney General's Office in 2008 – the greatest number since 2002. Gripes about health care businesses and commercial banks moved into the top 10 and telecommunications maintained its stronghold as the industry to generate the most criticism. . .

What's happening for you in your city this week? Read here a day-by-day diary of community events to fill your spare time. For a full calendar please click on "Read the complete article" below . . . .

The Skanner Annual Black History Edition is out now. The theme is on using online resources to discover your history.
 Click here to read it.

• Housing Forum Set for Thursday
• Schools Transfer Deadline is Friday
• Legislative Town Hall Saturday
• Elder Care Advocates Needed
• Environmental Fair at Jefferson
• College Night March 19