Madera County Grand Jury
• 2016-2017
Madera County Public Guardian/ Conservator/Public Administrator
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 17 findings
F1
The Chief Deputy Public Guardian oversees the operation of the office and shares casework with the Deputy Public Guardian.
No recommendations for this finding
F2
The Program Assistant functions as “representative payee”; most client referrals come from the Social Security Administration.
No recommendations for this finding
F3
The clerical position included in the Behavioral Health budget has not been posted for hiring as of February 6, 2017. Until the hiring process is completed, the Public Guardian employs a temporary extra-help person.
No recommendations for this finding
F4
Being under the management of Social Services allows the Public Guardian to tap into additional resources.
No recommendations for this finding
F5
Public Guardian caseworkers are in compliance with certification requirements as mandated by the continuing education statute.
No recommendations for this finding
F6
As Public Administrator, the Public Guardian manages the estates of intestate county residents under the supervision of the Superior Court, performs heir searches, marshals assets, and oversees the distribution of the estate.
No recommendations for this finding
F7
Caseworkers diligently search for family or others qualified and willing to manage affairs of those who are unable to do so. The Public Guardian is the agency of last resort for vulnerable county residents.
No recommendations for this finding
F8
Upon the completion of a thorough investigation by the Public Guardian, a hearing is set in Superior Court. With the assistance of County Counsel attorneys, the Public Guardian prepares the legal paperwork that starts the conservatorship process in court.
No recommendations for this finding
F9
If a judge finds a person unable to properly care for themselves and/or their finances, and there is no able person to assist, the Public Guardian is appointed as conservator.
No recommendations for this finding
F10
Client fees collected for services are held in a trust account.
No recommendations for this finding
F11
A regular accounting of clients’ funds is made to the court. An independent auditor audits the office annually and Social Security audits beneficiaries’ accounts.
No recommendations for this finding
F12
Most of the Public Guardian clients are poor with negligible estates. Many have dementia, are elderly and frail, reside in nursing homes and have no family.
No recommendations for this finding
F13
The number of cases managed by the Public Guardian increased 8% in the first six months of this fiscal year.
No recommendations for this finding
F14
The Public Guardian caseload is increasing and will likely continue to increase.
No recommendations for this finding
F15
The framework for Public Guardian policy is the California Probate Code and the Welfare and Institutions Code.
No recommendations for this finding
F16
The Public Guardian Policy and Procedure Manual is out of date.
No recommendations for this finding
F17
Office procedures for performing tasks change often. Updating written procedures is time consuming and a drain on resources. Hands-on training takes place as soon as a procedure changes.
No recommendations for this finding