📋

Extracted from Consolidated Report

This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.

Tulare County Grand Jury • 2009-2010

Who Is Protecting the Children in Tulare County?

3 pages

View PDF View Full Original

⚠️ 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 12 findings

A request was made to review random foster care case files, which was denie per Welfare and Institutions Code Sections 827 and 10850. .

A request was made to ride along with CWS Social Worker to observe living conditions and caseworker interaction with foster parents and foster children which was denied per Welfare and Institutions Code Section 827 and

A request was made to attend juvenile court hearings dealing with custody issues, which was denied per Welfare and Institutions Code Section 827 and 10850.

CWS guidelines require monthly visits by caseworkers. This requirement was not met in all cases. Some cases went up to six months or longer without a visit by a Social Worker.

Mental health evaluations are not routinely performed prior to placing a child in a foster care home.

Visits to birth parents are often traumatic to the foster children resulting in disruptive behavior by the children.

There is little or no instruction given to emancipated youth, by Social Workers, on how to access medical services, social security, or monies for education.

On some occasions children are allowed to interview and help select their own foster parents.

CASA provides effective advocacy for foster care children.

F10

Cuts to the State budget have resulted in the Independent Living Program (ILP) being eliminated.

F11

The ILP provided instruction to foster children to prepare them for self- sufficiency. It included instruction in: a. furthering their education, b. daily living skills, c. seeking employment and d. financial literacy (including budgeting and maintaining bank accounts).

F12

The ILP was very beneficial to the success of foster children becoming productive members of society.

Recommendations 6

R1

Perform mental health evaluations for all foster care children prior to placement.
R2

Conduct foster care home visits monthly.
R3

Conduct unannounced visits to foster care homes on a regular basis.
R4

Prepare foster children for emancipation with more detailed information on the skills needed to succeed in life. Something more than just a brochure.
R5

Utilize CASA services whenever a need is indicated.
R6

Provide the Grand Jury with access to foster care records to monitor the performance of Social Workers and T U L A R E C O U N T Y G R A N D J U RY R E P O R T 2 0 0 9 - 2 0 1 0 Ø 52 ensure the health and safety of the children in foster care.