Board of Supervisors Bill Connelly First District Administration Center Jane Dolan 25 County Center Drive - Oroville,

The Grand Jury found the method used to convey rules and policy information to wards inadequate. This info is critical to a successful detention experience in JuveniIe Hall. A properly prepared rights and policies manual for individual distribution should be considered. This manual would pertain only to the wards and could be written at a grade level more comprehensible to them. The Grievance Procedure should be included in such a manual rather than posted or offered elsewhere. The respondent disamees partially with the finding, since the wide-ranging term "inadequate" was used. While meeting the needs of minors detained in the Juvenile Hall there is always room for improvement. Successful detention experiences do occur with the varied methods use by Juvenile Hall staff to convey the rules. Historically, there has always been more than one method for the sharing of information with minors. For example, each minor is provided information concerning rules and policies through a personal review process during booking. Once assigned to a living unit an additional method of information is provided as each minor is required to complete an open-book written quiz. During this information sharing method minors are also encouraged to ask staff any questions they may have while going over the result of the minor's quiz with them. At this time, staff will also attempt to assess the minors understanding of the information they have been provided. Each minor has access to a binder in each of the living units for reference, and is encouraged by staff to ask questions concerning any rules a minor might question. The Grand Jury is correct in referencing the white boards in the living units as each board does hold a large number of sheets of paper containing rules and policies. The white board style bulletin boards should be designed better and made less conhing for minors. Additionally, each minor should be provided a personal copy of the rules and policies that also include the grievance process.

The Grand Jury finds great potential in the development of transitioning programs such as the Boys and Girls Clubs' project at Juvenile Hall. The respondent agrees with the finding.

"The management style of the Director is reflected down the line in the positive attitudes and morale of all job classifications of staff interviewed." The respondent agrees with this finding.

"The CDBG has provided money to improve the VMH by 2009 to meet ADA requirements." The respondent agrees with this finding.

"The staff responsible for the VMH has remarkably improved the relationship and enthusiasm of the Veteran's Committees [Veteran Memorial Hall Committees] in each community." The respondent agrees with this finding. GEPA GREEN POWER PARTNER I:(,. '-The VSO is providing assistance to vcterans in an officc that \vould ycatly benefit ii-om renovation to ilnprovc whcclchais access and to create prii~acyf or intcrvicws. FAR Form No. 08-046 has been prepared for consideration during the budget process." The respondent agrees with this finding.

There is no conference room for staff or conference meetings. The respondent agrees with the finding.

"The present Veteran Service Representatives do not currently have the level of accreditation needed to directly access the VA's data base and various veteran agencies. Existing methods arc time intensive which reduce the efficiency of service to veterans." The respondent neither agrees nor disagrees with this finding, as the Chief Administrative Officer is not involved in the daily operations of the General Services Department and is not in a position to provide meaningful comment on this finding.

"When a Veteran Service Representative position was left vacant in 2003, it reduced the office coverage that allowed staff to attend the required out of office accreditation courses. In addition, the time needed to complete the required training and passing of examinations is long. For example, just one of the required sessions 1s for one week once a year in July, and other processes take up to six months. If there were loss of staff at the present level, it could further jeopardize the future efficiency of providing services." The respondent agrees with this finding, and adds that requested positions are considered in the context of all staffing requirements in the budget.

"There were some indicators that in the past. newly promoted managers would have liked to have more training in management and people skills. Presently, HR provides a variety of management classes which are well advertised. They are presented by HR staff five to six times each month." The respondent agrees with this finding.

"The Grand Jury's overall impression of the department's operation and staff is extremely positive." The respondent agrees with this finding.

Although there are several drug rehabilitation programs in Butte County for women, there are limited options for men. The respondent disagrees with the finding. There are programs in both North and South areas of the County. BCCS will provide training to all staff no later than November 30, 2008 to ensure they are aware of available resources and how to access them for their male parents