2003-2004 Final Report

Recommendations 18

• R1
  The Grand Jury recommends that Humboldt County and the cities of Blue Lake, Eureka, Ferndale, Rio Dell, and Trinidad review available model ethics codes and adopt their own codes of ethics, to apply to all officials, elected and appointed.
• R2
  The Grand Jury recommends that the City of Fortuna review available model ethics codes and adopt its own code of ethics, to apply to all officials, elected and appointed.
• R3
  The Grand Jury recommends that the City of Arcata review other available model codes of ethics and consider modifying or supplementing its current Code of Ethics in accordance therewith.
• R4
  The Grand Jury recommends that Humboldt County and the cities of Arcata, Blue Lake, Eureka, Ferndale, Fortuna, Rio Dell and Trinidad include citizen participation in the development (or, in the case of Arcata, modification or supplementation) of their codes of ethics.
• R5
  The Grand Jury recommends that the County Administrative Office regularly sponsor ethics workshops and expand the invitation list to include all elected and appointed city and county officials. Grand Jury Report #2004-AF-02 GRAND JURY ACCESS TO ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES FILES WHO SHALL RESPOND: Pursuant to California Penal Code Sections 933 and 933.05, responses to the Findings and Recommendations of Grand Jury Report #2004-AF-02 shall be provided as follows: • The Humboldt County Counsel shall respond to Findings and Recommendations 1 and 2. • The Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services shall respond to Finding and Recommendation 2. The Grand Jury is one of the “clients’ to whom Humboldt County Counsel provides legal advice. Its other “clients” include the county and its various departments, which are subject to investigation by the Grand Jury pursuant to the Grand Jury’s “watchdog” function. A prior Grand Jury received a complaint regarding the death of a disabled person who was receiving services from the county’s Adult Protective Services Division (APS). APS is part of the Social Services Branch of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The Grand Jury wrote a letter requesting the APS file on the deceased. In response, the Director of Mental Health, another branch of DHHS, refused to provide the APS file over which it had control. APS staff was also instructed not to answer questions about the case. The Director contended that this information was confidential pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code Section 10850, and could not be obtained by the Grand Jury despite its investigative authority. The prior Grand Jury turned to County Counsel for assistance in obtaining the file and examining witnesses. However, County Counsel simply agreed with the Director of Mental Health regarding the confidentiality of the information. County Counsel gave no explanation for its position, did not mention the legal authorities that are inconsistent with its position, and did not suggest to the Grand Jury that there might be procedures available to obtain the file other than a letter request. These events were the subject of a prior Grand Jury Report, in which the Grand Jury recommended that County Counsel reconsider its interpretation of the confidentiality provisions of Welfare and Institutions Code Section 10850 in the context of a Grand Jury investigation. County Counsel refused, stating in 20 response that “The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted.” This year, the 2003-2004 Grand Jury also decided to investigate APS’s handling of the deceased person’s case and turned to the District Attorney’s office for assistance. The District Attorney’s office quickly obtained subpoenas and a court order that required APS to produce the deceased client’s file and required APS and other DHHS staff to testify regarding the case. The subpoenas and court order were served, the APS file was produced, and the witnesses testified before the Grand Jury without further objection. It is the opinion of this Grand Jury that the earlier investigation was derailed because County Counsel did not advocate for the right of one “client” (the Grand Jury) over the interests of another (APS), frustrating an investigation contemplated by the laws which establish, govern, and empower that “client.” This is unacceptable. The Grand Jury is composed of 19 ordinary citizens from diverse backgrounds who volunteer to serve a one-year term. Typically, they have no formal training or education in legal matters and, at times, must rely on the expertise of their advisers, including County Counsel, to fulfill their responsibilities to the citizens of Humboldt County. DHHS has acknowledged the Grand Jury’s right to obtain information about the handling of APS cases by its responsiveness to the subpoenas and court order that were served. County Counsel should acknowledge that right, as well. Both entities should take steps to insure that future Grand Juries do not have to reinvent this wheel.
• R6
  The Grand Jury recommends that DHHS discontinue use of taxpayer dollars to pay caregivers who are not providing the levels of care approved for the client, particularly when physical, emotional, or financial abuse is involved.
• R7
  The Grand Jury recommends that a centralized system for cross-checking and verifying each caregiver’s cumulative timecard hours and verifying client timecard signature be established.
• R8
  The Grand Jury recommends that when a caregiver’s fraud has been legally confirmed, that caregiver be permanently disqualified as a caregiver in Humboldt County.
• R9
  The Grand Jury recommends that a cross-file of shared cases be instituted so that APS and IHSS caseworkers have access to information and status of an individual’s case within the other division. When the status of a case is shared, caseworkers and supervisors from both divisions should be included in a multi-disciplinary decision-making team. APS caseworkers whose clients are also IHSS recipients should assist IHSS by verifying authorized caregiver services during regular visits to the client and reporting findings to IHSS.
• R10
  The Grand Jury recommends that HCSD develop a written policy and establish procedures for mandatory reporting of abuse and welfare checks, including requirement for the documentation of deputy visits and findings immediately following those visits.
• R11
  The Grand Jury recommends that, when the new policy and procedures have been developed, annual mandatory training in the newly established policy and procedures regarding mandated reporting of abuse and welfare checks be instituted and a documented record of attendees maintained. Grand Jury Report #2004-HS-02 HUMBOLDT COUNTY’S FOSTER CARE PROGRAM NEEDS HELP NOW WHO SHALL RESPOND: Pursuant to California Penal Code Section 933 and 933.05, responses to the Findings and Recommendations of GRAND JURY REPORT #2004-HS-02 shall be provided as follows: • The Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services shall respond to Findings and Recommendations 1 through 11. In 1999 the Little Hoover Commission, an independent state agency charged with recommending ways to increase efficiency and effectiveness in state programs, issued a report on California’s foster care system, which outlined a comprehensive strategy for reform. In 2003, the Commission weighed in again by 33 issuing a press release stating, “Three years have passed, but almost no progress has been made in reforming…[the] foster care system.” As a result, the California legislature adopted Assembly Bill 636 to bring serious focus to reform. Humboldt County is one of the eleven California counties currently engaged in pilot projects to redesign the state’s foster care system. The county will receive over two million dollars in the next four years to support its efforts at reform. The 2003-2004 Grand Jury received a complaint regarding Humboldt County’s Child Welfare Service (CWS), a division of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). A local medical professional alleged serious shortcoming in the foster care program which he believed had adversely affected one particular family. Because of this complaint and other concerns about the county’s foster care program, the Grand Jury investigated how the local program works for children and families. The investigation spanned July 2003 to April 2004 and included sixteen interviews of foster parents, current and former caseworkers, supervisors, and agency, medical, and court personnel. Jurors made two unscheduled facility visits, distributed surveys to 21 medical professionals, and reviewed numerous documents. DHHS asserts that its mission is “to protect children from abuse, neglect and exploitation and to promote the health, safety and nurturing of children…” The Grand Jury found serious deficiencies in the way this mission is being fulfilled. Although the redesign pilot project is underway in the county, foster children, foster parents, and the system itself need help now. Personnel The Grand Jury’s investigation revealed that CWS is in a constant state of flux with an inordinate amount of caseworker turnover. Promotions, resignations, medical leaves (often stress-related), and employees rotating in and out of jobs have created turmoil and uncertainty for foster children and families. An independent California study demonstrated that “Most social workers’ caseloads are … too high for them to meet all the requirements of the job.” Certainly, that is true in Humboldt County. Although state guidelines recommend caseloads of no more than 15 in the Family Maintenance and Family Reunification units, local caseloads currently stand at about 26-27. There are approximately ten vacant caseworker positions – out of 70 allocated – in the department. Excessive overloading of cases creates major problems in caseworkers’ ability to deal with the children and families in their charge. A caseworker is expected to see each foster child and meet with the foster parent once a month. This is often not possible with the almost double caseloads currently being carried by CWS caseworkers. Therefore, they resort to telephoning families or sending forms to be completed rather than making in-person visits. These methods are of limited value for determining the actual condition of the child, the foster parents, or the foster home. In addition, about a year ago, overtime in the department was eliminated. Caseworkers sometimes make evening and/or weekend visits on their own time in order to find people at home or to be able to complete their required tasks. They are “on-call” to handle after-hours reports of abuse or neglect a minimum of ten times a year. Testimony revealed that this further impacts caseworker effectiveness and morale. Departmental training for caseworkers is inconsistent. Some training is on-the-job, some is based on computerized programs, and some is conducted by first-level supervisors. Core classes are provided annually for new hires through U.C. Davis. Even specialized training that is offered is not mandatory. There is no ongoing mandatory training, for example, in stabilized case management, conflict resolution, or preparation for court appearances. Currently, for every five to eight caseworkers, there is a first-level supervisor. This represents an increase in the number of supervisors over the past two years, while the number of programs has increased and the number of caseworkers has decreased. In spite of the fact that caseworkers are most familiar with family situations, their recommendations are often overruled by supervisors who do not meet with children and families. There is little opportunity for team decision-making or consensus-building in case management. First-level supervisors are generally 34 available and supportive to caseworkers, but caseworker communication with supervisors at the second, third, fourth, and fifth (top) levels are discouraged. This chain of command has created tension within the department. Resignations, early retirements, and stress leaves have decimated the department’s staff, and caseworker morale is extremely low. Children and Families Social, emotional, and developmental costs to children in the foster care system are profound. Many have birth parents burdened with substance abuse, domestic violence, or mental health problems which create an environment of chronic fear and neglect. When children have experienced removal from birth parents, they need new adults in their lives who are stable and consistent. Grand Jury investigation indicates that this is not happening for many foster children. From the moment of intake into the system or placement in a foster home, children experience a series of changing caseworkers, foster parents, and therapists, which adds to a child’s feelings of insecurity. Too often these are paperwork transfers without personal knowledge, insights, or concerns passed on to the next caseworker or foster family. Also, the Grand Jury was told by witnesses that some of the moves from one foster home to another are due to conflicts between CWS and the foster parents. Children’s wishes are not necessarily considered. Oftentimes siblings are split between foster homes. Frequent moves have a negative effect on children’s schooling, create disruptions in medical care, and cause lack of continuity in parenting. Efforts to reunify families and to assist in maintaining the reunified family also fall within CWS’ responsibility. The Family Reunification unit has a maximum of 18 months to return children to their biological parents. The Family Maintenance unit has a maximum of 12 months to determine a family’s progress. During these time periods, CWS provides visitation for parents with their removed children as well as parental training to correct the behaviors which led to the children’s removal. This training usually consists of nothing more than the parents’ attendance at several weekly parenting classes. Foster Families Testimony revealed a major shortage of foster homes in Humboldt County and consistently attributed that shortage to department policies and practices. The number of foster homes licensed in the county varies from 100 to 125. Recruitment seems difficult because of tension between CWS personnel and some foster parents. Some foster homes have spaces available which are not being utilized due to conflicts with the department, while children may wait for weeks for a placement. In many cases they are held in the emergency shelter beyond the 30-day limit. A CWS supervisor may remove a child from a foster home even when the caseworker believes the placement is successful. CWS and foster parents alike need training in conflict resolution and sensitivity. Because of the extreme need for foster homes, Humboldt County has entered into contractual agreements with two private agencies to provide them. This type of private agency placement does relieve some of the CWS caseworkers’ responsibilities, such as the monthly visits. Foster parents receive 12 hours of training annually through College of the Redwoods. However, insufficient numbers of foster parents are prepared to deal with children with extreme behaviors. Standard foster care homes may accept no more than six children; those designated as therapeutic foster care (TFC) homes are limited to a maximum of two children with extreme physical and emotional problems. Reductions in the number of children with TFC designations, which have higher than standard reimbursement rates, are being made without consultation with foster parents. Testimony indicated this is an attempt by CWS to save money. A Family Intervention Team (FIT) now makes decisions regarding placement of the most difficult cases without consulting the caseworker, the child, the family, or the foster parent. Witnesses testified that decisions are made with regard to money, not to the needs of TFC children. Foster parents are supposed to receive a Health and Education Passport when a foster child enters their home. This Passport is meant to convey relevant background information about the child, not only to help 35 the foster parents understand and work more effectively with the child, but to warn of potential problems. Foster parents do not always receive this Passport. Oftentimes when they do, its information is incomplete or out-of-date. When that happens, the foster parent is unable to prepare adequately for potential problems such as fire starting, sexual deviance, et cetera. Services Foster children need expert mental health services, not necessarily the cheapest. Children who are extremely disturbed, dysfunctional, or violent need specialized therapies and care. Instead, over the past three years, services to children and families have been severely cut. Even for the high-risk TFC child, the majority of mental health services are made available through the Children, Youth, and Family Services units of the Department of Mental Health. They are provided by a rotating contingent of interns. One Licensed Clinical Social Worker oversees about ten interns who work directly with children. Interns may see the child one hour per week, which may not be adequate for high-risk children. The child may see four to six interns over a two-year span. CWS will not or cannot pay professional private therapists who do not accept MediCal. Dental care is also a problem for foster children because too few dentists accept MediCal and, again, CWS avoids paying non-MediCal rates. It may take weeks for caseworkers to obtain supervisory approval for any services or expenditures. The Grand Jury received information that CWS does not always follow medical doctors’ opinions and recommendations; see attached results of the medical professionals’ survey. Even when services are court-ordered, CWS does not always provide funding for them. Sometimes CWS disregards a judge’s order rather than going back to court to request modification. Court Procedures Continuances often result from caseworkers being unprepared, absent, or untrained in court protocol. This slows the process to the point where a child and family may be held in limbo for months without resolution of their issues. Finally, there can be a lack of consistency in how families are dealt with from the pre-court stage through the court process. This apparently stems, at least in part, from the fact that CWS both investigates and files the case. Medical Professionals Survey Results (13 respondents of 21 pediatricians surveyed)* Rate your professional relationship with: Poor Adequate Good Excellent CWS 3 5 1 Foster Parents - - 9 4 Rate CWS’ responsiveness to your: Professional 7 2 1 1 Opinion Recommendations 7 2 1 1 Children’s Needs 5 6 1 1 Foster Parents’ Needs 4 5 3 1 Have your diagnoses/ Yes No Sometimes treatment plans been respected/followed by: CWS 2 1 5 Foster Parents 7 - 2 *Not all respondents answered every question. Summaries of Medical Community Comments: 1. CWS seems reluctant to open and carry cases, or they close them before it is safe. 2. CWS has a tendency to not adequately investigate or not take action when it appears to be warranted. 3. I have been appalled. 4. CWS sends children to live in homes without heat, or the same home as a convicted child molester, or back to parents who injured them, or allows visitations in jail for infants. 5. I have stopped thinking that CWS referrals would actually help children who need it. 6. Most referrals I made were not investigated or I received a note saying my accusations were not substantiated. 7. Numerous medical staff recommendations that newborn babies be removed from birth mothers due to danger to their infants have been ignored, often resulting in severe neglect, injury, or even death of infants by the very parent CWS was warned about. Based on the foregoing, the Grand Jury makes the following findings and recommendations:
• R67
  RECOMMENDATION 1: The Grand Jury recommends that the Board of Supervisors immediately suspend, reduce, or eliminate the “Benefit Allowance” sections of Resolution 2000-67 until the county’s fiscal condition warrants reconsideration. Grand Jury Report #2004-CD-01 AN INVESTIGATION INTO VIOLATIONS OF THE BROWN ACT BY THE KLAMATH-TRINITY JOINT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD (This report was released in February 2004 and the Agency’s response is included) WHO SHALL RESPOND: Pursuant to California Penal Code Sections 933 and 933.05, responses to the Findings and Recommendations of GRAND JURY REPORT # 2004-CD-01 shall be provided as follows: 22 • The Klamath-Trinity Joint Unified School District Governing Board shall respond to Findings and Recommendations 1, 2 and 3. A citizen’s complaint involving the Klamath-Trinity Joint Unified School District (K-TJUSD) was investigated by the Grand Jury. Based on documents examined and testimony of five witnesses taken between August 18 and October 14, 2003, the Grand Jury concluded that the complaint had no merit. However, in reviewing the K-TJUSD Governing Board (Board) agendas and minutes, and considering testimony given by witnesses, the Grand Jury determined that the Board had violated several provisions of Government Code Sections 54950-54963, commonly known as the Ralph M. Brown Act (Brown Act). The Brown Act was enacted to require that public agencies conduct their deliberations and take actions openly. The Brown Act requires that specific steps be taken to publicize matters to be considered at agency meetings, in both closed and open session, through the posting of comprehensive agendas (Government Code Sec. 54954.1 and Government Code Sec. 54954.2). During a closed session meeting on May 8, 2001, the matter of the District’s enrollment in the Domestic Partners insurance program offered by the North Coast Schools Medical Insurance Group was discussed by the Superintendent with the Board. Witnesses stated that “…by consensus, equivalent to a vote…” the Board supported the Superintendent’s action to enroll the District in the program. After a review of the Superintendent’s job description and contract, the Grand Jury determined that the Superintendent had acted within the scope of his authority to take such action without Board approval. Nevertheless, this matter of a request for support was not recorded on the agenda for the closed meeting, nor was the action taken by the Board reported to the public in open session. Further, this was not an item that can be discussed by the Board in closed session. By these acts and omissions, the Board violated the following closed session provisions of the Brown Act: • Government Code Sec. 54954.2 At least 72 hours before a regular meeting, the legislative body shall post an agenda containing a brief general description of each item of business to be transacted or discussed at the meeting, including items to be discussed in closed session. This matter was not included on the agenda. • Government Code Sec. 54954.5 The issues that can be considered in closed session are specifically enumerated. This was not a matter included in that enumeration. • Government Code Sec 54957.1 The legislative body of any local agency shall publicly report any action taken in closed session and the vote or abstention of every member present thereon. No such vote was recorded or reported. The same, and possibly more serious, violations occurred when the Board met in closed session August 12, 2003. During that meeting, an affidavit was signed by five of the seven Board members attesting to their “consensus” in the meeting of May 8, 2001, admittedly as an attempt to legitimize their action at that meeting. Again, this action was not listed on the agenda for the meeting, the action taken was not reported in the open session that followed, and it was an improper item to be considered in a closed session. Further, according to the official minutes, it is possible that one or more of the Board members who signed the affidavit on August 12, 2003, were not present during the closed session of May 8, 2001. Their action at the meeting of August 12, 2003, indicated they either had imperfect knowledge of the Brown Act or were deliberately intending to cover up the original violation. The Grand Jury does not make a judgment as to the intent of the Board and Superintendent at the meeting of August 12, 2003. However, after considering the above facts and Board violations of the Brown Act, conclusions reached by the Grand Jury lead to the following findings and recommendations:
• R02-01
  Sheriff’s 4 3 1 Evidence Room
• R02-02
  Jail Facilities: 1 Hoopa 4 2 1 2 Garberville 5 1 1 3
• R02-03
  Regional 3 2 1 Facility Juvenile Hall
• R02-08
  Eureka Public 4 3 1 Parking
• R02-09
  County 8 6 2 Counsel
• R02-11
  Community 1 1 Schools TOTALS 45 24 9 * 12 * Reviews of the current status of these items follow. To examine a full text of the recommendations and responses contained in the 2001-2002 report, visit any branch of the Humboldt County Library or the website http://www.co.humboldt.ca.us/grandjury. Probation Alternatives in a Community Environment 2 Healthy Moms Program 3 Child Welfare Services 52 Report # 02-01 Sheriff’s Evidence Room Recommendation R-3 The 2001-2002 Humboldt County Grand Jury recommends that the evidence room has [sic] a computer database program to catalog the evidence. Sheriff’s response: This recommendation has not yet been implemented. The Computerized Records Management System implemented during Fiscal Year 2001-2002 has a separate property management module that will be added when all the problems are worked out of the base system. • The 2003-2004 Grand Jury finds that as of March, 2004, the Sheriff’s office is still in the process of correcting the flaws in the base system. Report # 02-02 Humboldt County Jail Facilities Hoopa Recommendation R-2 The 2001-2002 Humboldt County Grand Jury recommends that toilets are [sic] replaced with stainless steel toilet and sink units in the Hoopa Sheriff’s substation. Sheriff’s response: The recommendation has been partially implemented. • The 2003-2004 Grand Jury finds that only one of the three replacement stainless steel toilet and sink units has been installed. Both the 2000-2001 and 2002-2003 Grand Juries also recommended that these same 48-year-old toilets be replaced; the Sheriff and the General/Administrative Services response was that the recommendation would be implemented. After being promised for four years, the work is scheduled for March, 2004. Although having agreed to do so for the past four years, neither the Sheriff’s Department nor the General Services Department has complied with the Grand Juries’ recommendations. As this is an ongoing health and safety issue, these toilets should be replaced immediately. Garberville Recommendation R-2 The 2001-2002 Humboldt County Grand Jury recommends that the existing building be upgraded to A.D.A. standards. Administrative Services’ response: The recommendation will be implemented. • The 2003-2004 Grand Jury finds that the Garberville building has not been upgraded to A.D.A. standards. The 2002-2003 Grand Jury also recommended that the Garberville building be upgraded to A.D.A. standards, and Administrative Services responded that the recommendation would be implemented. However, the Board of Supervisors has allocated only $7500 for all A.D.A. compliance retrofits for county facilities in this fiscal year. The Americans With Disabilities Act was passed in 1990. Private property owners have been required to comply, but accessibility to public facilities for handicapped citizens of Humboldt County remains a problem that should be addressed immediately. Report # 02-06 County Parks Recommendation R-1 The 2001-2002 Humboldt County Grand Jury recommends that the County correct the county park brochure and make it readily available to the public. Public Works Department’s response: The brochure will be revised by January 2003. • The 2003-2004 Grand Jury finds that the brochure has not been revised due to budget constraints but information on the county parks has been included on the Public Works web page http://www.co.humboldt.ca.us/pubworks. Recommendation R-2 The 2001-2002 Humboldt County Grand Jury recommends that the County do an annual inventory of all park equipment. Public Works Department’s response: This will be done and completed by January 2003. • The 2003-2004 Grand Jury finds that the Public Works Department has inventoried the equipment as of the end of June, 2002, and added new or replacement equipment to that inventory. Recommendation R-3 The 2001-2002 Humboldt County Grand Jury recommends that the County provide funding to maintain all the parks in the county park system. Public Works Department’s response: Reallocation of general fund monies would be a policy decision to be made by the Board of Supervisors. The budget for fiscal year 2002-2003 will be adopted within the next three months. The Department may recommend additional funding at the final budget hearings. In addition, funds will be available within one to two months from the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration grant. 53 • The 2003-2004 Grand Jury finds that funds were obtained from the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration for seasonal park staff maintaining Humboldt County coastal parks for fiscal years 2002-2003 and 2003-2004. Recommendation R-4 The 2001-2002 Humboldt County Grand Jury recommends that the County hire a park ranger to enforce park ordinances and the collection of the fees. Public Works Department’s response: The County does not currently have a position titled “Park Ranger.” A possible alternative would be to have a sheriff’s deputy assigned seasonally to enforce regulations in the parks provided said deputy is trained in the park ordinance regulations and enforcement. In addition, it would be beneficial to have all deputies informed of the contents of the park ordinance. • The 2003-2004 Grand Jury finds that one grant-funded deputy sheriff was assigned to patrol all county beaches and enforce park ordinances but not to collect fees. Recommendation R-5 The 2001-2002 Humboldt County Grand Jury recommends that the County, where possible, have one entry control point for each park. Public Works Department’s response: A single entry control point may not be necessary at all county facilities. Currently, the parks staff are focused on creating a single point of entry at parks which permit overnight camping. Clam Beach County Park has the greatest need for a singular entry point. • The 2003-2004 Grand Jury finds that where possible, single-point entries have been established to overnight camping areas. At Clam Beach County Park camping has been restricted to the southern parking lot which has a single entry point. Recommendation R-7 The 2001-2002 Humboldt County Grand Jury recommends that the County work with the residents of Southern Humboldt County to keep Tooby Park in the county park system. Public Works Department’s response: The Department is negotiating an arrangement with the current landowner, Southern Humboldt Working Together, whereby the County would obtain an easement over Tooby Memorial Park restricting its use to recreational purposes. In turn, after obtaining the easement, the County would contract with Southern Humboldt Working Together to maintain Tooby Memorial Park. This item needs to be taken to the Board of Supervisors for review and approval. • The 2003-2004 Grand Jury finds that a final draft agreement has been developed as of March of 2004 and is being reviewed by Southern Humboldt Working Together. When it is returned to Public Works, it will be taken to the Board of Supervisors for final approval. Grand Jury Report #2004-CC-02 FOLLOW-UP ON RESPONSES TO THE GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT OF 2002-2003 Introduction: The 2003-2004 Grand Jury of Humboldt County elected to evaluate responses to Final Reports of both 2001-2002 (see Report #2004-CC-01) and 2002-2003 (this Report) in order to provide continuity with the work of previous Grand Juries in a timely fashion. This practice allows the Grand Jury to monitor the commitment made by affected agencies in their responses to the findings and recommendations in previous reports, and their progress toward these stated goals. Procedure Penal Code Section 933(a) requires the Grand Jury submit to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court a Final Report of its findings and recommendations that pertain to county government matters. Section 933(c) also requires comments from the governing body, elected county officer, or agency head to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court on these findings and recommendations. The responses and comments submitted were evaluated using Penal Code Section 933.05 (Appendix A) which requires the agency, officer, or governing board to (I) agree or disagree, wholly or in part, with each Finding, and to (II) provide one of four possible responses to each Recommendation: (1) have implemented the recommendation, (2) will implement the recommendation, (3) will study the recommendation, with an implementation plan available , or (4) will not implement the recommendation. The last response generally includes the reason(s) why not. The 2003-2004 Grand Jury reviewed written responses to the 2002-2003 Grand Jury Report, which contained 89 findings and 64 recommendations. All recommendations which officials agreed to implement, or to study for possible implementation, were verified through document inspection and official testimony. This is a brief summary of the recommendations and responses; to examine a full text, visit any branch of the Humboldt County Library or the website http://www.co.humboldt.ca.us/grandjury. WHO SHALL RESPOND: Pursuant to the California Penal Code Sections 933 and 933.05, responses to the Findings and Recommendations of Grand Jury Report #2004-CC-02 shall be provided as follows: • No responses are required for items discussed in this report. _____________________________________________________________________________ 2002-2003 Grand Jury Recommendation Status as of 5/24/04 Report # Title Recommend- Implement Will Be* Will Not Be ations ed Implemented 03-AF-01 AV Board of 3 3 Supervisors4 03-AF-02 Real Property 6 3 3 Division 03-CD-01 Eureka Utility 6 4 2 User’s Tax 03-CD-02 Special 3 2 1 Districts 03-HS-01 Human Rights 6 2 3 1 Commission 03-HS-02 Caregivers & 3 1 1 1 In-Home Health 03-JL-01 Sheriff’s Boats 2 1 1 03-JL-03 Arcata Jail 1 1 03-JL-04 Sheriff’s Farm 1 1 03-JL-05 Hoopa Sheriff’s 4 3 1 Substation 03-JL-06 Garberville 5 4 1 Sheriff Station 03-JL-07 Eureka Jail 1 1 03-JL-08 Juvenile Hall 3 1 1 1 03-JL-09 HCCF5 3 1 1 1 03-JL-10 Regional 2 1 1 Facility 03-LJ-01 Complaints to 1 1 Law Enforcement 03-PW-01 A.D.A.6 3 3 03-PW-02 Animal Control 5 3 1 1 03-PW-03 RNP7 Bldg. 6 3 3 TOTALS: 19 Reports 64 25 20 19 * Will be studied, or will be implemented. Reviews of the current status of these items follow. Audiovisual Access to Meetings 5 Humboldt County Correctional Facility 6 Americans with Disabilities Act 7 Redwood National Park 55 Report # 03-HS-01 Human Rights Commission Recommendation R 1 The grand jury recommends the installation of a computer-based complaint reporting work station in the courthouse that allows access and report preparation by HRC commissioners. Board of Supervisors’ Response to R 1 This recommendation requires further analysis. The General Services Department will contact the Human Rights Commission to discuss the need for a computer- based complaint system within the next 60 days. If there is a demonstrated need for such a system, the cost for acquisition and installation will need to be considered in concert with all other budgetary requests. General Services/Information Services Response to R 1 The General Services Department will contact the Human Rights Commission to discuss the need for a computer-based complaint system within the next 60 days. • The 2003-2004 Grand Jury finds that the General Services Director met with two Human Rights Commissioners, who stated they are not interested in a computer system to track their complaints because they have a program that sorts through their meeting minutes that allows them to tally their complaints. Recommendation R 2 The grand jury recommends a centralized filing system resource be made available to members of the HRC in an area of the courthouse where access could be controlled. Board of Supervisors’ Response to R 2 This recommendation requires further analysis. Staff is unaware of the existence of the referenced filing cabinet resources. The General Services Department will contact the Human Rights Commission within the next 60 days to discuss the need for filing resources and will evaluate whether those needs can be reasonably met. General Services/Information Services Response to R 2 Requires further analysis. The Human Rights Commission will be contacted within the next 60 days to discuss the need for filing resources in addition to the need for a computer-based complaint system. • The 2003-2004 Grand Jury finds that General Services substantiated the need for a filing cabinet, has acquired one and reportedly has installed it. Recommendation R 6 The grand jury recommends the HRC continuously monitor and review cultural diversity/sensitivity training programs for all city and county law enforcement personnel. Board of Supervisors’ Response to R 6 This recommendation requires further analysis. The Board supports cultural diversity/sensitivity training programs for city and county law enforcement personnel as well as personnel assigned to other departments, but defers to the Human Rights Commission as to whether this is a project the Commission is ready and willing to accept as part of their stated function to “aid in eradication of discrimination in housing, employment, education and public accommodation.” Communication update indicates HRC will be offered the opportunity to be included on Humboldt County’s web site to assist them in the management of information. • The 2003-2004 Grand Jury finds that the Sheriff sends officers to training which stresses “understanding and respect for racial and cultural differences, and development of effective, noncombative methods of carrying out law enforcement duties in a racially and culturally diverse environment.” A new mandated class on racial profiling has just recently become available at College of the Redwoods for officers. In addition, Probation officers, Mental Health and Social Service employees receive a number of cultural/sensitivity programs and newsletter articles. Report # 03-HS-02 Care Givers & In-Home Health Care Recommendation R 2 The grand jury recommends that the Board of Supervisors pursue publicizing the [caregiver] registry. Board of Supervisors’ Response to R 2 The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the next three to six months. The registry of care givers, currently operated by the Humboldt Senior Resource Center under contract with the Area 1 Agency on Aging [A1AA] as part of its Caregiver Support Project, will end on July 31, 2003. On August 1, 2003, the A1AA will begin operation 56 of a care giver registry for In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) providers and recipients, under contract with the Governing Board of the Public Authority for IHSS. The registry will be publicized by the Humboldt County Public Authority; by Humboldt County IHSS Social Workers; by the Advisory Board on the IHSS Program; and, following contractually required approval by the Public Authority, by the A1AA through press releases and public service announcements. • The 2003-2004 Grand Jury finds that the caregiver registry has been publicized in regular public service announcements to newspapers, radio stations, and public access television; monthly articles in Senior News; broadcast faxes to local referral sources; and the Caregiver Quarterly sent to caregivers, recipients, and providers. Report # 03-JL-01 Sheriff’s Boats Recommendation R 1 The grand jury recommends that the Sheriff’s Department consider charging a fee for towing. Sheriff’s Response to R 1 This recommendation has not been implemented; it requires further analysis, and we will monitor this type of activity during this year. • The 2003-2004 Grand Jury finds that of the few boat tows made, most occur during routine patrol operations and are not call-outs, which normally go to the Coast Guard or Coast Guard auxiliary, so a fee will not be charged. In addition, the State pays most of the boat operating expenses. Report # 03-JL-04 Sheriff’s Agricultural Farm Recommendation R 1 The grand jury recommends that the Sheriff’s Department obtain a bucket for the Farm tractor. Sheriff’s Response to R 1 This recommendation will be implemented as soon as is feasible. The tractor currently in use at the Sheriff’s Farm was acquired through the Defense Reutilization Program with negligible cost to the county. We will price the cost of purchasing a suitable bucket and also attempt to locate a suitable one in the Defense Reutilization Program system. Obtaining a bucket will be dependent upon the cost or ability to locate one in the DRMO system. • The 2003-2004 Grand Jury finds that the farm tractor – after several years of Grand Jury re