It was a difficult year for the Division for Children, Youth and Families.

Already dogged with staffing shortages and fatigue issues, the agency was hammered for having a majority of its cases assessed in an untimely manner and being inconsistent even within its own policies.

In the past decade, the division completed only about 15 to 30 percent of the case assessments done within 60 days, the allotment DCYF gives itself to get an assessment done from the initial report.

The facts are indisputable – cases were falling through the cracks because there was too much work for too few staff.

That’s why it’s refreshing to see the state take steps in the right direction when it comes to keeping New Hampshire’s children safe.

Tasked with implementing an in-depth report on DCYF practices, the Center for the Support of Families’ made a series of recommendations to protect children.

The center, a national consulting leader in program redesign for health and human services agencies, outlined the need for more extensive initial screening decisions and better staffing levels. Cutting right to the point, the report emphasized returning a child to their family cannot come at the expense of their safety.

Last week, outgoing Democratic Gov. Maggie Hassan and the Executive Council approved a new contract for a 24/7 response to allegations of child abuse, which will aid in emergency placement for at-risk children and less restrictive access during what used to be "after-hour" incidents for DCYF workers, who are under the umbrella of the state Department of Health and Human Services.

"Any missed opportunity to save a child’s life, or to save a child from harm, is a tragedy, and providing 24-hour, seven-day a week responses to reports of child abuse at DCYF is critical to helping prevent such tragedies and ensuring the safety and well-being of our children," Hassan said in a statement last week.

These actions are certainly progress, but the agency must remain proactive. Lawmakers need to stay vigilant and keep an open line of communication with DCYF. The New Hampshire Department of Justice needs to document the successes in its new training program with social workers to more effectively identify potential crimes when evaluating cases.

The incoming governor, Republican Chris Sununu, and a GOP-dominated Legislature must make this a priority along with battling the opioid crisis and red-listed bridges.