Embattled child welfare agency appoints new director in Santa Clara County

Santa Clara County has appointed an assistant director and veteran social worker to lead its embattled child welfare agency as it implements changes brought on by investigations from both the state and the Bay Area News Group, replacing the much-maligned former director who resigned in January.

Wendy Kinnear-Rausch, who started her social work career with the county in 1999 and has been in charge since former director Damion Wright left, will become the permanent director of the Department of Family and Children’s Services on July 7...