Riverside County Grand Jury
• 2012-2013
Department of Public Social Services Child Protective Services
⚠️ 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 and Recommendations 11 findings
F1
The Grand Jury found that by using the California Family Risk Assessment Form, DPSS/CPS does not place enough value to “neglect factors,” which are “risk factors.” In sworn testimony, the Grand Jury was informed that case workers were encouraged to close out referral cases when the investigation did not meet the “neglect” criteria on the California Family Risk Assessment Form. Reports from DPSS/CPS were classified as unfounded and unsubstantiated and cases were closed. The Grand Jury, in review of documents, found some of the following conditions have existed: • Substance abuse • Domestic violence • Lack of supervision • Absence from and poor performance in school • Poor household management • General neglect 4 California Risk Assessment Form and Definitions pages 61 thru 69 in Structured Decision Making Policy and Procedures Manual Manual Date 2008 (updated 4/28/09). To see this document refer to: (http://sharepoint/need/Projects/California/543/PP_Manual/PP Manual/_Part 1.doc) And: Welfare and Institutions Code §300.2 Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the purpose of the provisions of this chapter relating to dependent children is to provide maximum safety and protection for children who are currently being physically, sexually, or emotionally abused, being neglected, or being exploited, and to ensure the safety, protection, and physical and emotional well-being of children who are at risk of that harm. This safety, protection, and physical and emotional well- being may include provision of a full array of social and health services to help the children and family and to prevent re-abuse of children. The focus shall be on the preservation of the family as well as the safety, protection, and physical and emotional well- being of the child. The provision of a home environment free from the negative effects of substance abuse is a necessary condition for the safety, protection and physical and emotional well-being of the child. Successful participation in a treatment program for substance abuse may be considered in evaluating the home environment. In addition, the provisions of this chapter ensuring the confidentiality of proceedings and records are intended to protect the privacy rights of the child.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
Policies and procedures shall be developed and implemented to specifically address risk factors that affect the long-term health, growth, and development of children. A form shall be developed to include the accumulating and compounding effects of risk factors. New policies and procedures shall be developed and implemented to address continued monitoring of any investigation where a referral for services was given. This monitoring shall continue until such time as the customer fully complies with the referral.
F2
The Grand Jury, found that there is no definition for “global assessment” in their Glossary of Terms. In sworn testimony, the Grand Jury was told that “global assessment” is used when a referral necessitates an investigation. The definition given was, “they look at everything that is occurring at the home, not just what the original referral was for.” The Grand Jury’s review of records and sworn testimony revealed that social workers do not consider all current and prior history, as well as the “referral history alert.” Prior history may have included: • Convictions of various crimes that interfere with the families function • Parents had demonstrated an inability to provide protection • Substance abuse problems • Instability and erratic behavior • Hazardous and unsanitary home conditions • Children often do not attend school • Numerous law enforcement calls to a residence • An excessive amount of people living at a residence 5 According to: Children’s Services Handbook Module 2, Chapter 2, Section D, Release Date 12/2004: Referral: When a referral has been received for investigation the social worker shall complete the following steps:
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
DPSS/CPS shall develop and include the definition of “global assessment” in their
F3
Assess for exigent circumstances (imminent risk).
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
DPSS/CPS shall develop and implement policies and procedures that will obtain information from law enforcement, medical, psychological, school personnel and any additional collateral contacts. This will provide information to caseworkers of law enforcement activity at the home address of dependent children and other pertinent information regarding school attendance and/or medical information. DPSS/CPS will also continue to obtain criminal history on all adults in the home pursuant to their current policy in Children’s Services Handbook Module 2, Chapter 2, Section D, Release Date 12/2004.
F4
Assess for TRAC/RCAT/OHI/CAN criteria.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
DPSS/CPS shall develop and implement policies and procedures that will obtain information from law enforcement, medical, psychological, school personnel and any additional collateral contacts. This will provide information to caseworkers of law enforcement activity at the home address of dependent children and other pertinent information regarding school attendance and/or medical information. DPSS/CPS will also continue to obtain criminal history on all adults in the home pursuant to their current policy in Children’s Services Handbook Module 2, Chapter 2, Section D, Release Date 12/2004.
F5
Confirm school and home address/location.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
DPSS/CPS shall develop and implement policies and procedures that will obtain information from law enforcement, medical, psychological, school personnel and any additional collateral contacts. This will provide information to caseworkers of law enforcement activity at the home address of dependent children and other pertinent information regarding school attendance and/or medical information. DPSS/CPS will also continue to obtain criminal history on all adults in the home pursuant to their current policy in Children’s Services Handbook Module 2, Chapter 2, Section D, Release Date 12/2004.
F6
Review associated police or medical reports.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
DPSS/CPS shall develop and implement policies and procedures that will obtain information from law enforcement, medical, psychological, school personnel and any additional collateral contacts. This will provide information to caseworkers of law enforcement activity at the home address of dependent children and other pertinent information regarding school attendance and/or medical information. DPSS/CPS will also continue to obtain criminal history on all adults in the home pursuant to their current policy in Children’s Services Handbook Module 2, Chapter 2, Section D, Release Date 12/2004.
F7
Review previous child welfare services records.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
DPSS/CPS shall develop and implement policies and procedures that will obtain information from law enforcement, medical, psychological, school personnel and any additional collateral contacts. This will provide information to caseworkers of law enforcement activity at the home address of dependent children and other pertinent information regarding school attendance and/or medical information. DPSS/CPS will also continue to obtain criminal history on all adults in the home pursuant to their current policy in Children’s Services Handbook Module 2, Chapter 2, Section D, Release Date 12/2004.
F8
Contact referent for additional information.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
DPSS/CPS shall develop and implement policies and procedures that will obtain information from law enforcement, medical, psychological, school personnel and any additional collateral contacts. This will provide information to caseworkers of law enforcement activity at the home address of dependent children and other pertinent information regarding school attendance and/or medical information. DPSS/CPS will also continue to obtain criminal history on all adults in the home pursuant to their current policy in Children’s Services Handbook Module 2, Chapter 2, Section D, Release Date 12/2004.
F9
Obtain criminal history on all adults in the home.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
DPSS/CPS shall develop and implement policies and procedures that will obtain information from law enforcement, medical, psychological, school personnel and any additional collateral contacts. This will provide information to caseworkers of law enforcement activity at the home address of dependent children and other pertinent information regarding school attendance and/or medical information. DPSS/CPS will also continue to obtain criminal history on all adults in the home pursuant to their current policy in Children’s Services Handbook Module 2, Chapter 2, Section D, Release Date 12/2004.
F10
Assess the need for law enforcement involvement.
No recommendations for this finding
F11
Prepare necessary equipment and forms (camera, cell phone, childcare seats, J132A, family maintenance agreement, service referral forms). In addition, the social workers use the California Family Risk Assessment form from Structured Decision Making Policy and Procedures Manual, Manual Date May 2008 (updated 4/28/09), pages 61 and 62. While the form addresses questions relating to the above conditions, it does not place enough credence to validate a continuing pattern of compounding neglect. Refer to: (http://sharepoint/need/Projects/California/543/PP_Manual/PP Manual_Part 1.doc)
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
Policies and procedures shall be developed and implemented to specifically address risk factors that affect the long-term health, growth, and development of children. A form shall be developed to include the accumulating and compounding effects of risk factors. New policies and procedures shall be developed and implemented to address continued monitoring of any investigation where a referral for services was given. This monitoring shall continue until such time as the customer fully complies with the referral.
Additional Recommendations 3
These recommendations are not explicitly linked to specific findings.
-
R4DPSS/CPS shall evaluate the case load for their social workers, including adequate report preparation time, and comply with the recommended guidelines as set forth by California Welfare and Institutions Code §18994.4(3)(c) which states: 9 (c) Caseloads that are balanced in size, not to exceed 25 cases per home visitor, and intensity (services intensity varies with client need).
-
R5DPSS/CPS shall develop and implement policies and procedures for all social workers to advise clients on their initial home visit of the complaint process, specifically by reading the pamphlet and answering any questions the client may have. As stated in the Children’s Services Handbook, Module 1, Chapter 3, Section B, Release Date 1/2004, pages 75 and 76, “Clients, relatives, elected officials or others shall be made aware of the complaint process and how to file one if needed.”
-
R6DPSS/CPS social workers shall complete their nine week “core induction training” before any social worker goes out into the field. Upper management shall establish a plan for experienced social workers to mentor inexperienced social workers. DPSS/CPS shall develop and implement policies and procedures requiring supervisors to accompany each social worker in the field a minimum of once a month. Report Issued: 6/27/13 Report Public: 7/01/13 Response Due: 8/29/13 10
Agency Responses 6
Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.
No Responses Found 1
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
Riverside County
County