Los Angeles County 1960-1961 - California Grand Jury Reports

F1: That greater emphasis be given to preventive work with ramilies and children through: (a) A definition of policy for dealing with problems involving children. (b) Special projects financed by funds recently made available by the state legislature.

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R1: GENERAL HOSPITAL (1959): st Handling of outpatients: solution to be tested in new outpatient building, scheduled for completion in June, 1963. .bra-

F2: That greater attention be given to discovering training oppor- tunities for the unskilled group of aid recipients. Shortages: The Department of Charities, and particularly the Bureau of Pub- lic Assistance, is faced with two shortages which could seriously im- pair the quality of its program in working for the rehabilitation of families and individuals on the welfare rolls.

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R2: vacations in the division and in the field offices. Standardization of time reports in all divisions.

F3: In providing professional committees to review cases of suspect- The Jury believes that the correction of abuses in the Medical Care Program in Los Angeles County is the joint responsibility of the Department of Charities and the professional groups. Further, we believe that the proposed mechanization of the recording process, making it possible to set up controls within the department; the use of local advisory committees and consultants; and closer cooperation between the County Department and the District Attorney's office will aid in the reduction of abuses. II. NEED FOR SIMPLIFICATION OF LAWS AND REGULATIONS IN THE SOCIAL WELFARE FIELD After independent study and observation and after conferring with administrators in the Department of Charities of Los Angeles County, which operates a program comparable in size to many state programs, the Jury urgently recommends that the Commission consider the following points in its review of the State's Welfare Program:

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R3: Approval of time cards by authorized division or field office

F4: There should be uniformity in eligibility requirements for as- sistance, particularly in the Old Age Security, Aid to Needy Blind, and Aid to Totally Disabled Programs. There should be uniform requirements regarding such factors as citizenship, residence, personal and real property, relative responsibility, consideration of income, and determination of needs.

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R4: representatives. A study of utilization of data processing equipment, partic-

F5: The "Flat Grant" principle of budgeting should be applied where- ever practical to all aid programs to prevent costly administra- tive time by social workers in computing minute details of thousands of budgets and making frequent budget changes, and to exert pressure on the recipient to budget his spending.

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R5: ularly relating to data processing equipment currently used in other departments. 19 y in- COUNTY RECORDER ne to The primary responsibility of the County Recorder is to accept for filing and to make a permanent record of all recordable instru- been ments, to file copies of certificates of birth and death where the any event occurred in any area of the County except within the City of Los ise Angeles, and to function as the local registrar of marriages. A special examination of procedures and operations of the Depart- irces ment of Recorder was made during the year. The examination set forth stat- only 3 minor recommendations, all of which were immediately imple- of mented. ts HEALTH DEPARTMENT The Health Department of the County of Los Angeles administers the Public Health Program through 14 health centers at various loca- he tions throughout the County. The examination dealt with the con- trols of the receipts of the Department, which consist mainly of fees n and for health permits, vital records, and billing to contract cities. k and The procedures in connection with payroll, purchasing, receiving, and inventorying supplies in the main office and various branches and part- the controls existing in the district health centers were also re- ca- viewed. ounty ts The report contained 20 recommendations, of which 13 were accept- ed by the Department and have been implemented. Five of the recom- mendations were rejected and further study by your Committee showed oro- valid reasons for the rejections. One of the two remaining recom- ions, mendations related to approval of dental work in the East Los Angeles rawn. district, which will be implemented as soon as a vacant position of ssued Senior Medical Social Worker can be filled. The other recommenda- 7 tion, which is currently under study by the Department, relates to a fur- review of the general functions of ordering and storing supplies and materials throughout the Department. ven- MARSHAL OF THE MUNICIPAL COURTS , and The Marshal of the Municipal Courts provides one marshal for each municipal court established in the judicial districts in Los Angeles County and has the powers and duties with respect to the municipal courts that the Sheriff has with respect to the superior courts. The Marshal's duties consist in executing, serving, and returning all .ce writs, processes, and notices directed to him by the courts or other competent authorities. The revenues of the Department consist of fees for services and mileage in connection with his duties as Marshal. tic- used The report contained 6 recommendations, of which 3 have already been implemented. The procedures covered by 3 of the recommenda- tions were believed by the Department to be adequate. Your Committee concurs. REVENUES - 42 DEPARTMENTS Many of the smaller departments throughout the County have mis- cellaneous items of receipts and the scope of the operations of these departments is not sufficient to call for complete examinations of the departments. Therefore, the Audit Committee caused a limited review to be made in each of the departments of the County as to the control over revenues. In general, it was found that the procedures follow- The ed throughout the County are adequate to safeguard collections. Of report covered 42 departments and contained 46 recommendations. the 46 recommendations, 37 have been accepted and implemented, 2 are believed to be properly covered by present procedures, and 7 are to be studied. The 7 recommendations are as follows: CHARITIES, DEPARTMENT OF: Study and re-evaluate the experimental program in connection with the billing for admitting room services rendered to ineligible patients. (Report expected January 1962.) COUNTY CLERK: The Audit Committee recommended that the present contract with the West Publishing Company covering royalties be subjected to an an- ual audit. This recommendation has been accepted and the first audit certification can be expected in August 1962. OTIS ART INSTITUTE: The 3 recommendations covering registration and tuition, libra- ry fines, and more frequent deposit of funds by this department will be considered at such time as a new director for the Institute has been selected, the position currently being vacant. PROBATION DEPARTMENT: Study the feasibility of providing automatic direct information to the Accounting Division whenever wards are transferred. Study scheduled for early 1962.) TREASURER: Study the advisability of installing a postage meter machine. (Study scheduled for early 1962.) RECOMMENDATIONS OF PRIOR GRAND JURIES One of the first projects undertaken by your Audit Committee was to request a review of the present status of recommendations of prior Grand Juries. Through the Chief Administrative Officer, each depart- ment examined by a Grand Jury in the five years 1956 through 1960 was asked to report the present status of each recommendation contained in the auditor's report on such examination. Reading these reports had prompted the review for two reasons: mis- (1) Many recommendations had not been acted upon before the time the hese Grand Jury report was written, and, because some of them were of the not followed up by the succeding Grand Jury, their disposi- eview tion was unknown to us. rol llow- (2) Some situations seemed chronic, with repeated recommendations The and little record of progress toward a remedy. Of are e to Of 354 prior recommendations traced, 67 were found to be dormant, still pending, or not acted upon; 286 had been implemented in one form or another, and one had been rejected for stated reasons. Renewed attention to the 67 uncompleted items resulted in 40 be- n ing adopted or implemented, while 14 were rejected or abandoned for ible satisfactory reasons. This left only 13 still pending, and substan- tial progress has been made on all of these. The 13 recommendations still in process are: th the an-

F6: More thought and planning should be given by the State Department of Social Welfare when statistics and surveys are requested.

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R6: FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT (1958): Feasibility of using Electronic Data Processing equipment to ad- vantage: study by Chief Administrative Officer has been complet- ed and is awaiting action by the District.

F7: The distribution of costs between State and County should be uni- form in the categorical aids programs; for example, we suggest the ratio now existing in the Old Age Security Program.

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R7: ROAD DEPARTMENT (1956): Inventory records in various warehouses: study by Auditor-Con- troller in progress. (Follow up.)

F8: Serious effort should be made to attract people into social serv- ice training so that more qualified workers will become avail- able. We believe that after basic needs are met, the goal of a welfare program should be the rehabilitation of the individual or family so that they can be removed from the welfare rolls and restored to a normal way of life. At present, because of the number of individual cases involved, the amount of record keeping necessary, and the lack of trained workers, there is danger that rehabilitation is being ov- erlooked, thus developing a dependent group in our society. We be- lieve a goal of rehabilitation should be clearly restated for the benefit of those responsible for welfare programs, for the benefit of recipients, and for the benefit of the taxpaying public. 63

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R8: The Committee held or attended conferences during 1961 with the heads of 25 departments. Members of the Committee visited 21 field offices or County facilities. These visits, together 25 with numerous interviews in the Grand Jury chambers, brought understanding of many facets of County activities. The Com- .ttee mittee is grateful to all who participated or assisted. fol- Respectfully submitted, ions. AUDIT COMMITTEE pears Lindley M. Bryant, Chairman Marion E. Dice, Vice Chairman ts and Mrs. Wilma M. Imm, Secretary m con- James L. Duff solve Ward S. Pitkin Frank H. Robb ns re- Attachments: 1. Interim report of Audit Committee oital

F9: The statement that "every parent was most pleased." We received no record of a poll.

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R9: The statement that "every parent was most pleased." We received no record of a poll.

F10: Letter of recommendations dated October 18, 1961, from Social Services Committee to State Welfare Commission, presented at a hearing in Los Angeles on October 27, 1961 25 ll. Interim report of Audit Committee; letter (mailed October 31, 1961) transmitted to Board of Equalization of the State of California, inquiring into the legality of grant- ing veterans' exemptions on the basis of the assessed value of real estate rather than the market value; letter of transmittal; and Board's acknowledgment 69 Item 1 MRS. WILMA M. IMM HAYDEN F. JONES COURTNEY A. TEEL SECRETARY FOREMAN FOREMAN PRO TEM A. A. NELSON LINDLEY M. BRYANT J. ROBERT PAINE MRS. LAUREN H. CONLEY COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES WARD S. PITKIN WILLIAM G. COOK FRANK H. ROBB MARION E. DICE 1961 GRAND JURY RAY H. ROEMER JAMES L. DUFF 548 HALL OF JUSTICE MRS. J. SELBY SPURCK MRS. JEAN W. HALEY LOS ANGELES 12 COURTNEY A. TEEL MRS. WILMA M. IMM MA 9-2451 GEORGE S. THOMPSON HAYDEN F. JONES MRS. ANTHONY THORMIN MRS. RALPH P. LOWE MRS. ERNEST LINCOLN MESSNER June 20, 1961 Honorable Ernest E. Debs Chairman, Board of Supervisors 500 West Temple Street Los Angeles 12, California Dear Mr. Chairman: The Los Angeles County Grand Jury respectfully requests favorable action by the County Board of Supervisors on the following recom- mendations. That the classroom in MacLaren Hall School

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R10: Letter of recommendations dated October 18, 1961, from Social Services Committee to State Welfare Commission, presented at a hearing in Los Angeles on October 27, 1961 25 ll. Interim report of Audit Committee; letter (mailed October 31, 1961) transmitted to Board of Equalization of the State of California, inquiring into the legality of grant- ing veterans' exemptions on the basis of the assessed value of real estate rather than the market value; letter of transmittal; and Board's acknowledgment 69 Item 1 MRS. WILMA M. IMM HAYDEN F. JONES COURTNEY A. TEEL SECRETARY FOREMAN FOREMAN PRO TEM A. A. NELSON LINDLEY M. BRYANT J. ROBERT PAINE MRS. LAUREN H. CONLEY COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES WARD S. PITKIN WILLIAM G. COOK FRANK H. ROBB MARION E. DICE 1961 GRAND JURY RAY H. ROEMER JAMES L. DUFF 548 HALL OF JUSTICE MRS. J. SELBY SPURCK MRS. JEAN W. HALEY LOS ANGELES 12 COURTNEY A. TEEL MRS. WILMA M. IMM MA 9-2451 GEORGE S. THOMPSON HAYDEN F. JONES MRS. ANTHONY THORMIN MRS. RALPH P. LOWE MRS. ERNEST LINCOLN MESSNER June 20, 1961 Honorable Ernest E. Debs Chairman, Board of Supervisors 500 West Temple Street Los Angeles 12, California Dear Mr. Chairman: The Los Angeles County Grand Jury respectfully requests favorable action by the County Board of Supervisors on the following recom- mendations. That the classroom in MacLaren Hall School

F11: Telephone conversations with letter writers

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R11: Telephone conversations with letter writers

F12: Magnetic tape recording of United Nations mock assembly

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R12: Magnetic tape recording of United Nations mock assembly

F13: The objectivity of the UN unit, since even a cursory comparison of the United States Constitution and the United Nations Charter will bear out the following facts: UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION UNITED NATIONS CHARTER

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R13: ROAD DEPARTMENT (1960): Six recommendations concerning unexpended project balances, preparing shop orders for maintenance jobs, and duplicate rec- ord keeping are being studied as a group by the Auditor-Control- ler, with monthly reports being made through Auditor-Control- ler. (Follow through monthly reports; copy being received by Grand Jury.) The 8 recommendations numbered 6 - 13 above are being NOTE: studied actively, under a definite schedule. Results should be ascertained when available. MARINA DEL REY AND ZUMA BEACH On August 22, 1961, Supervisor Burton W. Chace requested the Grand Jury to review the entire Marina program as well as the re- negotiation of the concession agreement at Zuma Beach. His request was referred to the Audit Committee for investigation. MARINA DEL REY Conferences were held by the Audit Committee with Marina del Rey department heads, consulting engineers, and other County department heads responsible for the construction and operation of the Marina. Our inquiry did not develop any irregularities in the awarding of contracts or leases in connection with the development of the Marina. Our investigation showed that public misunderstanding of the Marina del Rey arose largely because certain basic facts were not made sufficiently clear. 23

F14: United Nations calendar, Starbuck School, May 8 - June 6

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R14: United Nations calendar, Starbuck School, May 8 - June 6

F15: Notes of PTA representative on meeting held May 31 (workshop) of the Orange County Chapter of the American Association for the United Nations, in Chrysler Auditorium in Anaheim

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R15: Notes of PTA representative on meeting held May 31 (workshop) of the Orange County Chapter of the American Association for the United Nations, in Chrysler Auditorium in Anaheim

F16: Peace song, Let There Be Peace on Earth

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R16: Peace song, Let There Be Peace on Earth

F17: Report of school activities (a) Practice getting up and walking out of a meeting (b) Discuss: To gain leadership and authority, we must give up some measure of freedom to act; art knows no boundary, need we? 82 Findings: Citizens protested: (a) Distribution of tape recording of the mock United Nations assem- (b) "One World" teaching through text books and instructional mater- ial (c) Pacifist slanting (d) Mind conditioning for Soviet policies (e) Propagandizing for the United Nations through the American As- sociation for the United Nations (f) By-passing of United States history in favor of United Nations study in 7th grade These protests came in clear, concise, well-written letters from citizens, parents and businessmen. In telephone conversations, the letter writers were high in their praise of teachers and school offi- cials. We found that at no time did they criticize the program as being "Communistic in nature or planning", or protest that the "UN had become a main tool of the Communist". We Question:

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R17: Report of school activities (a) Practice getting up and walking out of a meeting (b) Discuss: To gain leadership and authority, we must give up some measure of freedom to act; art knows no boundary, need we? 82