Butte County Grand Jury
• 2013-2014
• Agency Response
Response to:
Sheriff
Board of Supervisors Members of the Board 25 County Center Drive, Suite 200 Bill Connelly
⚠️ 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 15 findings
F1
The Butte County Child Support Call Center is staffed by transferred county personnel, saving Butte County valuable funds. The respondent partially agrees with the finding. The Butte County Child Support Services Call Center is staffed with county personnel, who are paid by restricted, non County general funds. Call Center staff receive extensive training, which is of value if they transfer to a position funded by the general fund.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
Develop and implement an outreach program to raise awareness of Adult Protective Services in order to educate the public about programs. The recommendation requires further analysis. Cuffently, Adult Protective Services provides outreach and education to community partners, service organizations, universities, and others, as well as those who are categorized as mandated reporters. The Department of Employment and Social Services will conduct a needs assessment to determine the needs of the community relative to Adult Protection Services and the programs available. Anticipated completion date is November 1, 2013.
F2
The Butte County LCSA has increased its efficiency since 2001, becoming a California LCSAs leader. The respondentagrees with the finding.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
Hire additional public health nurses to evaluate and assist with APS and IHSS clients. The recommendation has been implemented. A full time Public Health Nurse has been hired in collaboration with Butte County Public Health. The Nurse functions in the Adult Protective Services Unit and is able to help Social Workers with their investigations and assess medical needs of the clients served.
F3
LCSA uses a wide variety of analytical methods to measure and enhance the department's effectiveness. The respondent agrees with the finding. 1 2012-2013 BUTTE COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT BUTIE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL SERVICES FINDINGS
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
Continue to investigate and assist in prosecuting IHSS fraud cases and seek ways to reduce recurrences of fraud. The recommendation requires further analysis. In March 2013, the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) distributed uniform protocols focused on statewide coordination and communication to develop a coordinated and standardize process for fraud refeffals and investigation, which includes a standard for deciding when to refer a case for fraud investigation. By November 1, 2013 DESS will provide refresher training on the CDSS established protocols to all social work staff and seek input to determine if there are gaps in the fraud identification and/or refeffal process.
F4
Fraud is a problem in some In-Home Supportive Services cases. The respondent agrees with the finding.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
Hire additional social workers to better manage the caseload for the IHSS program. The recommendation requires further analysis. DESS will assess workload demands and available fiscal resources to determine if adding positions is warranted. The analysis will be completed by November 1, 2013. 3
F5
The caseloads of IHSS social workers are significantly large. The respondent agrees with the finding.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
Work with social workers in Adult Services to equip them with whatever resources are available that they would need to insure their safety. The recommendation requires further analysis. DESS will conduct a needs assessment to better understand the specific safety needs of Social Worker staff in the field. The analysis will be completed by January 1, 2014. 4 2012-2013 BUTTE COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT CHILDREN'S SERVICES DIVISION
F6
Staff in Adult Services feels communication with their supervisors is good, that they can voice concerns and that those concerns are heard. The respondent agrees with the finding.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
Due to increased incarceration time, expand medical and dental care to cover the longer-term needs of inmates. The recommendation has not yet been implemented; but will be in the future. The Sheriff is currently negotiating with medical providers to expand care. Implementation is anticipated to be completed by December 31, 2013. 16
F7
There are safety concerns for Adult Services workers when doing field visits. The respondent agrees with the finding. 2
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
Look for evidence-based methods of dealing with mental health disorders and formulate a plan for implementation at the County Jail. The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be in the future. The Sheriff is currently working with the Department of Behavioral Health to operate a Psychiatric Health Facility as part of the proposed jail expansion. The timing of the implementation will depend on the success of receiving SB 1022 grant funds, which will be known by January 2014. RB Conduct an anonymous survey of the correctional deputies for any possible concerns. Formulate a plan to address any issues and provide feedback to the deputies. · The recommendation is directed at the Sheriff, an independently elected constitutional officer.
F8
The safety and security of the exercise yard is an issue. Access to the perimeter fence around the exercise yard is unsecured. Passing contraband over or through the fence is possible, although a visual check before use minimizes the risk. The lack of security cameras for the entire yard limits electronic monitoring capability. This respondent agrees with this finding.
No recommendations for this finding
F9
Having only seven female deputies is insufficient for a 24n operation. The respondent partially disagrees with the finding. There are currently 16 female correctional deputies.
Related Recommendations (1)
R9
Recruit additional female correctional deputies. The recommendation has been implemented. There are currently 16 female correctional deputies. The Sheriff continues to actively recruit new female correctional deputies. 17 - 2012-2013 BUTTE COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT BUTTE COUNTY JUVENILE HALL
F10
There are eight remaining toxic plumes in Chico that are still being monitored and mitigated. Finding is directed at other governmental entities over which the Board of Supervisor has no jurisdiction.
Related Recommendations (1)
R10
Better communicate details and updates about the security system upgrade to the staff. The recommendation has been implemented. Staff receives verbal updates, emails, memos regarding the project. The department posts updated project timelines and details. 21 2012-2013 BUTTE COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT WATER: BUTTE COUNTY'S VITAL RESOURCE
F11
The Department of Toxic Substance Control and Cal Water have been thorough and vigilant in locating, controlling and cleaning the contaminated plumes in Chico. Finding is directed at other governmental entities over which the Board of Supervisor has no jurisdiction.
No recommendations for this finding
F12
The Butte County Department of Water and Resource Conservation has not received any required permit requests for groundwater pumping as a substitute for surface water exported and sold outside the county. The respondent agrees with the finding.
No recommendations for this finding
F13
The Butte County Department of Water and Resource Conservation has provided superior leadership in the county and the region on critical water issues. The respondent agrees with the finding.
No recommendations for this finding
F14
The Butte County Department of Water and Resource Conservation study of the Tuscan Aquifer may yield a future strategy to halt the decline of the aquifer. The respondent agrees with the finding.
No recommendations for this finding
F15
The Butte County Department of Water and Resource Conservation has been critical in supporting this Grand Jury investigation. The respondent agrees with the finding.
No recommendations for this finding
No Responses Found 3
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.