DSS Commissioner is Out

Governor Deval Patrick is expected to fire the head of the state Department of Social Services today.

Commissioner Harry Spence has led DSS since 2001.

The agency has been under fire for the way it's handled several recent high-profile cases in recent years.

Spence is expected to be replaced by Angelo McClain, the head of a private New Jersey children's welfare firm.

Morning Edition speaks with former Department of Mental Health commissioner and the head of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, Marylou Sudders, about the shakeup.