Sonoma County Grand Jury
• 2007-2008
Ensuring Fairness in Child-Support Services The Grand Jury investigated how child-support payments Investigative
⚠️ Aviso de traducción: Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 7 findings
F1
DCSS did not previously have a The Grand Jury commends DCSS for system for clear documentation of establishing a more clean-cut tracking child-support payments. system for documenting child-support cases. In the past, the department offered
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
DCSS should educate clients on court
F2
DCSS did not accurately monitor employees classes in sensitivity training, responsibility of health insurance for and parenting classes for clients. It also the supported children. developed a non-custodial-parent training program to assist in understanding that the
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
DCSS should provide clear and
F3
DCSS was not monitoring to see that custodial and non-custodial parents are in a custody arrangements were not business-partner relationship. Additionally, violated. DCSS has improved its bilingual and cultural services. It is also commended for
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
DCSS should clarify and verify responsibility of health insurance for children involved in each case.
F4
DCSS did not previously accept and converting the child-support management review all pertinent documentation for system to a computerized database. support-payment cases.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
To minimize disputes, DCSS should evaluate and monitor client understanding of and satisfaction with Previously, child-support services were its services. Client evaluations should under the jurisdiction of the DA. Once the occur after three months, nine months, responsibility transferred to DCSS, and annually thereafter. shortcomings of the child-support payment system received the attention
F5
DCSS clients are intimidated by the court system.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
DCSS should appoint a neutral third- they required. While DCSS continues to party ombudsman to ensure a fair improve management of this system, process. This volunteer would ideally mechanisms are required to manage the have a background in child-support system more effectively, and to address issues. the concerns of parents. Recommendations, continued
F6
Some DCSS policies and procedures procedures and the workings of the were not clear to participants, nor child-support system. were they communicated effectively.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
DCSS investigations should include written documentation or other corroborating evidence regarding disputed issues.
F7
Terminology that was offensive to thorough documentation of child-support some parents was dictated at the payments to all parties involved. State level; such terminology has since been modified or changed.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
If budget constraints allow, DCSS should reinstate parenting classes. If this training cannot be funded, volunteer resources should be explored. Requested Responses to Recommendations Sonoma County Board of Supervisors: R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 Required Responses to Recommendations Sonoma County Department of Child Support Services: R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 44
Conclusions 1
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CL1 Page 2R4 To minimize disputes, DCSS should evaluate and monitor client understanding of and satisfaction with Previously, child-support services were its services. Client evaluations should under the jurisdiction of the DA. Once the occur after three months, nine months, responsibility transferred to DCSS, and annually thereafter. shortcomings of the child-support payment system received the attention R5 DCSS should appoint a neutral third- they required. While DCSS continues to party ombudsman to ensure a fair improve management of this system, process. This volunteer would ideally mechanisms are required to manage the have a background in child-support system more effectively, and to address issues. the concerns of parents. 43 Recommendations, continued R6 DCSS investigations should include written documentation or other corroborating evidence regarding disputed issues. R7 If budget constraints allow, DCSS should reinstate parenting classes. If this training cannot be funded, volunteer resources should be explored. Requested Responses to Recommendations Sonoma County Board of Supervisors: R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 Required Responses to Recommendations Sonoma County Department of Child Support Services: R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 44
No Responses Found 2
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
County of Sonoma
Agency
Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Elected County Office