Madera County Grand Jury • 2017-2018

Serving Madera County At-Risk Children Behavioral Health Services Department of Social Services

Published: May 25, 2018 7 pages
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Findings and Recommendations 11 findings

F1
Because of a lack of understanding of procedures for procuring the properly prepared releases, it is sometimes difficult for DSS to obtain needed client information from BHS.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
BHS management develop a plan to continue the services of the Healthy Beginnings Program by fall of 2018.
F2
When the Healthy Beginnings Program is no longer funded, children under five will be adversely affected.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
BHS management meet weekly with clinicians to update and inform them of changes, particularly regarding the Healthy Beginnings Program, effective immediately.
F3
There is a lack of understanding among BHS clinicians regarding the upcoming changes in the Healthy Beginnings Program.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
BHS and DSS staff work together to resolve the issues resulting from AB 1299 and the Presumptive Transfer Program on an ongoing basis, effective immediately.
F4
Because the Presumptive Transfer Program is new and BHS and DSS don’t always agree on placement/treatment, children are adversely affected.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
DSS administration develop a plan to facilitate social worker licensure while working for DSS, by fall of 2018.
F5
Because there is no provision for DSS social workers to obtain licensure within the agency, professional advancement is inhibited.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
DSS social workers attend all of their TDM’s unless there is an emergency, effective immediately.
F6
Because social workers don’t always attend TDM’s, services to children are compromised.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
DSS administration develop a plan to better retain social workers, by fall of 2018.
F7
Services to children continue to be negatively impacted by the high turnover rate of social workers between 2014 and 2016.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
DSS properly close all "stale referrals" and develop strategies to prevent this problem from occurring again, by fall of 2018.
F8
The 100+ “stale referrals” still open at DSS represent children who have “fallen through the cracks” and not received necessary services.
Related Recommendations (1)
R8
DSS administration make a greater commitment to hiring Social Workers and Program Managers with social work education and experience, effective immediately.
F9
Because Madera County does not require Social Workers and Program Managers to have a master’s degree in Social Work or previous social work experience, effectiveness in their positions can be compromised.
Related Recommendations (1)
R9
DSS administration annually review the social worker to supervisor ratio in order to reduce management top-heaviness. Required Responses: Pursuant to Penal Code Section 933, the Madera County Grand Jury specifically requests responses as follows: Madera County Board of Supervisors (all Findings and Recommendations) 200 West 4th Street Madera, CA 93637 Madera County Director of Social Services (F1, F4, F5, F6, F7, F8, F9, F10, F11, R3, R4, R5, 720 East Yosemite Avenue R6, R7, R8, R9) Madera, CA 93638 Madera County Director of Behavioral Health Services (F1, F2, F3, F4, F10, R1, R2, R3) 209 East 7th Street Madera, CA 93638
F10
Because BHS and DSS have different operational objectives and methods, there can be negative results for children.
No recommendations for this finding
F11
DSS has too many administrators/supervisors for the number of social workers.
No recommendations for this finding

No Responses Found 1

Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.

Madera County County