County Executive Officer*

R1

Caseloads: Caseloads of social workers should be adjusted to factor in out of county placements. Exhibit 2 Response: The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not reasonable. As the staff informed the Grand Jury, SB 2030 Child Welfare Services Workload Study Final Report, issued in April 2000, contains recommendations for adjusting caseloads to ensure best practices could be implemented by counties. CFS is already in the process of implementing caseload adjustments system wide based on SB 2030 guidelines, not according to out-of-county placements.

R2

Group Homes: In order to reduce travel time for caseworkers, families and children, SSA should encourage placement of children in FFAs and Group Homes within Orange County. Response: The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not reasonable. As indicated by staff to the Grand Jury, Federal (Adoptions and Safe Families Act, 1997) and State (Assembly Bill 636, 2001) legislation mandates the preference for the placement of dependent children. When a child is unable to remain in his or her own home, first preference is to place with a relative. If a relative is not available or does not meet the approval criteria, the next preference is to place with a NREFM. Federal and State mandates require preference to place with relatives and NREFMs, even if they reside outside of Orange County. SSA makes placements outside of Orange County in accordance to these mandates. The children currently placed or considered for placement in congregate care require intensive therapeutic services and are only placed in out-of-county group homes if the services they require are not available locally.

R3

Outsourcing: SSA should engage in collaborative discussions with Orange County group homes to improve their relationships and reduce outsourcing of Orange County foster children to neighboring counties. Response: The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted. As the staff informed the Grand Jury, this recommendation is not consistent with Federal and State mandates, which specify preference for out-of-home child placements, as stated above in Recommendation #2. In addition, CFS does not "outsource" Orange County foster children to neighboring counties. Children are placed according to their individual needs. Resources for severally emotionally disturbed children are limited in Orange County; and therefore, if a child requires this level of care, the most appropriate placement may be in an adjacent county. SSA actively engages in collaborative discussions with Orange County group home providers. SSA has agreements with approximately 17 group home providers in Orange County. CFS also participates on two forums with Orange County group home providers. The Group Home Advisory Board is chaired by an Executive Director of a local group home and includes the CFS Director and the Executive Directors from Orange County group homes. The Group Home Forum is held quarterly and is chaired by CFS' Monitoring and Investigations Unit. The forum is open to all group home operators that have an agreement with SSA. Both forums include collaborative discussions regarding meeting the needs of dependent children that require group home care. Exhibit 2

R4

Transportation Costs: Money saved in transportation costs could be considered as the financial incentive to promote more Orange County foster care and group home providers. Response: The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not reasonable. As the staff informed the Grand Jury, Federal and State mandates require preference to place with relatives and NREFMs, even if they reside outside of Orange County. SSA makes placements outside of Orange County in accordance to these mandates.

R5

Alternative Model: SSA should consider the San Pasqual model program for a similar facility in Orange County. Response: The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted. SSA is not interested in developing or operating a San Pasqual model program. This is inconsistent with Federal and State mandates, which specifically state that children should be placed in a family-centered environment. If a San Pasqual model program is developed in Orange County by another organization, SSA will consider referring children for placement if they require the level of care the facility provides.