County Executive Officer*

R1

Master Report: SSA needs to report programs and outcomes in one document. Numbers presented without background data borders are useless. A report card format would be very beneficial in that it would identify each program and provide population data, i.e. number in the group to be served, number actually served, and number that experienced success and/or percentage of success measured against total population to be served. Response: The recommendation has been implemented. The ILP Annual Narrative Report and Plan and the CDSS SOC 405 A form, which are submitted to CDSS annually, include program information, financial information, assessment tools utilized, access to services, specific services provided, collaborations, evaluations, outcomes, and financial information. The CDSS SOC 405 A form, provides a one-page summary of the Youths Served, Client Characteristics and the Program Outcomes/Client Progress.

R2

Association with the "Fullerton Report": A link between the Fullerton Report recommendations and what is actually occurring needs to be established. Time, money, and effort were expended in the development of the report and it appears it has been placed on a shelf. If it was important to develop the document then it is equally important to implement its recommendations. The recommendations should be merged into the report card format mentioned in R-1. Response: The recommendation has been implemented When CFS restructured the Emancipation Services Program, the recommendations from the Fullerton Report were taken into consideration and the majority of the recommendations were implemented. The ILP annual reports submitted to CDSS includes a summary of progress and data regarding several of the recommended areas of the Fullerton Report.

R3

Program Population: The presentation of data needs to be in the context of the overall population served. Calling data "outcomes" that merely identify attendance numbers is not really an outcome. Attendance does not automatically mean the youth grasp the concepts. Outcomes should be presented that reflect the youths' ability to actually use the information provided. Response: The recommendation has been implemented. Exhibit 2 The CDSS SOC 405 A form, which is submitted annually to CDSS, provides a one-page summary of the Youths Served, Client Characteristics and the Program Outcomes/Client Progress. The youth's ability to use the information provided in the workshops, is captured in the Program Outcomes/Client Progress section of the form in the areas of: High School Education completion · Post-Secondary Education enrollment Employment/Vocational Training Housing

R4

Annual Report: The report card recommended in R-1 should be presented annually to the Board of Supervisors. Response: The recommendation will be implemented. The annual ILP reports required by CDSSS will be submitted to the Board of Supervisors.

R5

Independent Living Skills: The opportunity for youth to exercise Independent Living Skills once a year is not enough. The youth should have multiple opportunities during the year to use the skills they have learned in workshops. Vendor contracts should be revised to require competency testing for each workshop. This would also allow for the assessment of outcomes. Response: The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not reasonable. There is no empirically based "Competency Test" for ILP skills and testing youth may be a deterrent for participation. However, both formal and informal ILP learning opportunities for youth exists throughout the year, with integration of the skill set into everyday living as the goal. In addition, the youth, caseworker, and caregiver identify opportunities for the youth to develop and master the skills learned in the ILP workshops through the development of the youth's TILP. Housing: The SSA needs to identify the actual demand for Transitional Housing and

R6

consider changes to the screening process and criteria for living in these programs. Response: The recommendation has been implemented. CFS recognized an increased demand for transitional housing and developed a spectrum, which includes host families and independent housing for youth long before the Grand Jury issued its Report. Additionally, CFS continuously reviews the screening process to meet the needs of youth. SSA Website: Revise the website so that it contains an area that is specific to pre- and

R7

post-emancipated youth services. Exhibit 2 Response: The recommendation requires further analysis. Of the 2400 users of the CFS Emancipation Services Program's website, none of the feedback received contained complaints about or suggestions for improvement of the site. However, the Department acknowledges that enhancements to the website could improve usability and plans to assess the necessary pages and update them as deemed appropriate. Ansell-Casey Life Skills Assessment: The SSA has improved the use of the Ansell-

R8

Casey Life Skills Assessment; however, more should be done to ensure participation of post-emancipated youth by offering incentives that are important to them. Response: The recommendation will requires further analysis. SSA will analyze a variety of inducements to determine what would be most appealing to post-emancipated youth. Once a determination has been made, SSA will offer the chosen incentives to youth to encourage participation in the Ansell-Casey Life Skills Assessment.