A child advocacy group is praising a federal judge’s decision that will allow most of a lawsuit to move forward accusing Indiana’s child welfare agency of inadequately protecting thousands of children in its care.

U.S. District Court Judge Richard Young’s Wednesday ruling allows two of three counts to go forward in the lawsuit, which was filed last July against the Indiana Department of Child Services. The suit alleges that DCS does not protect 22,000 children with open child welfare cases, including more than 14,000 in out-of-home care.

The list of allegations include many of the children “unnecessarily” languishing in foster care for years before they are reunified with their primary caretakers, are adopted, or age out of the system. The delays caused by DCS inflict further emotional trauma,” it further states.

The case can now proceed to the discovery phase and a potential trial if a settlement is not reached.