Score: +8
(11/16/3)
Contra Costa County Grand Jury
• 2018-2019
Contact: Richard Nakano Foreperson
Published: May 20, 2019
9 pages
⚠️ 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 8 findings
F1
The Library is transitioning from a traditional storehouse for books into a technology center, literacy advocate, and community gathering place.
No recommendations for this finding
F2
The Pleasant Hill branch is closing in late September 2019 to make way for a new branch which is scheduled to open in the Spring of 2021.
No recommendations for this finding
F3
The new branch will not be able to house the Library’s Contra Costa County history Collection, most of which is currently housed in Pleasant Hill.
No recommendations for this finding
F4
The Library does not have a short-term plan for safeguarding the Collection after the Pleasant Hill branch closes, before a long-term plan can be implemented.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The Library should consider developing a short-term plan by September 2019 for safeguarding the Collection while a long-term plan is being developed and implemented.
F5
The Library has not developed a long-term plan for permanently housing the Collection.
Related Recommendations (3)
R2
The Board of Supervisors should consider directing the Library to develop a long- term plan for housing the Collection, including a budget, by June 2020.
R3
The Board of Supervisors should consider directing the Library to explore the feasibility of an agreement with the Contra Costa County Historical Society for housing the Collection by August 2019.
R4
The Board of Supervisors should consider providing the financial resources necessary to fund the budget for the long-term plan in the 2021-2022 fiscal year.
F6
The Library has received a grant of professional preservationist services that will provide a basis on which to develop short- and long-term plans for safeguarding and housing the Collection.
No recommendations for this finding
F7
The Contra Costa County Historical Society is a potential repository for the Collection.
No recommendations for this finding
F8
The Contra Costa County Historical Society would like to house the Library’s Collection.
No recommendations for this finding
Agency Responses 5
Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.
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Additional Response from the Board of Supervisors
March 21, 2019
•
18 pages
• 12 responses
•
Score: +3
(+3, 0, 0)
View Details ▾
12 responses to findings and recommendations
F1
The Library is transitioning from a traditional storehouse for books into a technology center, literacy advocate, and community gathering place.
Response: Unknown
Score: 0
In 2006, Contra Costa County Library made the strategic decision to transition from a central library organization to a peer library system where a full range of library services are intended to be delivered at the first point of contact rather than referring the patron to a central library location.
R1
The Library should consider developing a short-term plan by September 2019 for safeguarding the Collection while a long-term plan is being developed and implemented.
Response: Will Implement
Due: September 2019
Scheduled: To be investigated
Score: +1
The Library recommends working with the Contra Costa County Historical Society's History Center in Martinez, CA as a possible location for the collection.
F2
The Pleasant Hill branch is closing in late September 2019 to make way for a new branch which is scheduled to open in the Spring of 2021.
Response: Unknown
Score: 0
The new Pleasant Hill Library is scheduled to open in 2021. The current building will be demolished and a temporary facility will be established at an offsite location.
R2
The Board of Supervisors should consider directing the Library to develop a long- term plan for housing the Collection, including a budget, by June 2020.
Response: Will Implement
Due: June 2020
Scheduled: Investigation phase
Score: +1
Recommendations: 1. Investigate, and if feasible, relocate the collection to the Contra Costa County Historical Society. 2. Investigate, and if feasible, change of ownership from Contra Costa County Library to the Historical Society.
F3
The new branch will not be able to house the Library’s Contra Costa County history Collection, most of which is currently housed in Pleasant Hill.
Response: Unknown
Score: 0
The library does not have a comparable space in size or environmental controls in any other locations. To keep the collection as a library resource, the collection would have to be dismantled and distributed among several libraries.
R3
The Board of Supervisors should consider directing the Library to explore the feasibility of an agreement with the Contra Costa County Historical Society for housing the Collection by August 2019.
Response: Will Implement
Due: August 2019
Scheduled: Investigation phase
Score: +1
The Library recommends working with the Contra Costa County Historical Society's History Center in Martinez, CA as a possible location for the collection.
F4
The Library does not have a short-term plan for safeguarding the Collection after the Pleasant Hill branch closes, before a long-term plan can be implemented.
Response: Unknown
Score: 0
The Library recommends working with the Contra Costa County Historical Society's History Center in Martinez, CA as a possible location for the collection.
R4
The Board of Supervisors should consider providing the financial resources necessary to fund the budget for the long-term plan in the 2021-2022 fiscal year.
Response: Unknown
Score: 0
F5
The Library has not developed a long-term plan for permanently housing the Collection.
Response: Unknown
Score: 0
Recommendations: 1. Investigate, and if feasible, relocate the collection to the Contra Costa County Historical Society. 2. Investigate, and if feasible, change of ownership from Contra Costa County Library to the Historical Society.
F6
The Library has received a grant of professional preservationist services that will provide a basis on which to develop short- and long-term plans for safeguarding and housing the Collection.
Response: Unknown
Score: 0
F7
The Contra Costa County Historical Society is a potential repository for the Collection.
Response: Unknown
Score: 0
The Library recommends working with the Contra Costa County Historical Society's History Center in Martinez, CA as a possible location for the collection.
F8
The Contra Costa County Historical Society would like to house the Library’s Collection.
Response: Unknown
Score: 0
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Board of Supervisors
August 06, 2019
•
20 pages
• 1 response
•
Score: +1
(+1, 0, 0)
View Details ▾
1 response to findings and recommendations
F2
The Pleasant Hill branch is closing in late September 2019 to make way for a new branch which is scheduled to open in the Spring of 2021.
Response: Agree
Score: +1
. Antioch, Brentwood, Oakley, and the eastern portion of the County were added to the Permit in February, 2019 and have a requirement to reduce trash discharges by 70%, from their 2016 baseline trash levels, by December 31, 2019. F2 Response. The respondent agrees with the finding. The County does not treat unincorporated East County separately from the rest of the county. East County will therefore meet the 80% trash reduction target by July 2019, as discussed above, exceeding the 70% requirement. F3. Using the formula prescribed in the Permit, Brentwood, Clayton, Concord, Danville, El Cerrit...
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Board of Supervisors
August 06, 2019
•
13 pages
• 11 responses
•
Score: +1
(+3, 6, -2)
View Details ▾
11 responses to findings and recommendations
F1
The Library is transitioning from a traditional storehouse for books into a technology center, literacy advocate, and community gathering place.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
Respondent partially disagrees with this finding. There are four beds and an additional three treatment rooms available to serve up to 7 youth at any one time. Census data shows that in 2018 there were more than four youth being treated simultaneously at PES 10.7% of the time, but additional rooms designated for family visitation provide increased capacity as needed. Additionally, utilization of PES by youth varies by month with highest census from September through December and prior to the end of the school year. Intervening months and the summer have lower census and shorter lengths of stay...
R1
The Library should consider developing a short-term plan by September 2019 for safeguarding the Collection while a long-term plan is being developed and implemented.
Response: Will Implement
Score: +1
The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented by June, 30, 2020. R2. The Board of Supervisors should consider directing Contra Costa Health Services to investigate the use of the Medical Center's vacant wing (4D) as a temporary holding area for children and adolescents waiting for long-term placement in other facilities by December 31, 2019. Response: The recommendation will not be implemented due to regulatory restrictions. 4D cannot serve as an auxiliary crisis stabilization/psychiatric emergency unit due to strict requirements and limitations on this level of care...
F2
The Pleasant Hill branch is closing in late September 2019 to make way for a new branch which is scheduled to open in the Spring of 2021.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
Respondent partially disagrees with this finding. In 2018, the average length of stay for youth in PES was 11.9 hours with a median length of stay of 11.1 hours. In total, eighteen out of 1,601youth spent more than 72 hours in PES in 2018. The majority of these individuals were not in need of acute hospitalization; rather, they needed other types of placements associated with developmental disabilities (Regional Center) or Child and Family Services. Additionally, 30% to 40% of the youth served in PES have commercial insurance (predominately Kaiser) which requires collaboration and coordination...
R2
The Board of Supervisors should consider directing the Library to develop a long- term plan for housing the Collection, including a budget, by June 2020.
Response: Will Not Implement
Score: -1
The recommendation will not be implemented due to regulatory restrictions. 4D cannot serve as an auxiliary crisis stabilization/psychiatric emergency unit due to strict requirements and limitations on this level of care and where it can be located. 4D, if operated as an acute inpatient unit, could not detain youth while waiting for long term placement unless strict medical necessity criteria for acute inpatient care are met. 4D cannot serve as a holding area for either level of care. R3. The Board of Supervisors should consider directing Contra Costa Health Services to develop a plan to operat...
F3
The new branch will not be able to house the Library’s Contra Costa County history Collection, most of which is currently housed in Pleasant Hill.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
Respondent agrees with this finding. GJ 1909 Response
F4. Contra Costa County does not operate a long-term-care facility for children and adolescents. They are often placed in in long-term-care facilities outside the county. Response: Respondent partially disagrees with this finding. Contra Costa contracts with Youth Homes, Inc. to provide long term intensive mental health treatment within the county. These residential programs serve up to 24 youth in a very structured therapeutic residential setting which are an alternative to institutional care. It should be noted that this facility funded ...
R3
The Board of Supervisors should consider directing the Library to explore the feasibility of an agreement with the Contra Costa County Historical Society for housing the Collection by August 2019.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
This recommendation has been implemented. As pointed out in F4, County acknowledges the need for additional treatment capacity and will continue to further analyze this. R4. The Board of Supervisors should consider directing Contra Costa Health Services to explore entering into a contract with John Muir Health Concord Medical Center to accept and treat 5150 patients presently only served by the County by June 30, 2020. Response: This recommendation has been implemented. GJ 1909 Response
A REPORT BY THE 2018-2019 CONTRA COSTA COUNTY GRAND JURY 725 Court Street Martinez, California 94553 Report...
F4
The Library does not have a short-term plan for safeguarding the Collection after the Pleasant Hill branch closes, before a long-term plan can be implemented.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
Respondent partially disagrees with this finding. Contra Costa contracts with Youth Homes, Inc. to provide long term intensive mental health treatment within the county. These residential programs serve up to 24 youth in a very structured therapeutic residential setting which are an alternative to institutional care. It should be noted that this facility funded by the county is to serve Medi-Cal and low-income uninsured youth, the County's mandated target population. The county recognizes the need for additional capacity of this type of long-term mental health residential program and is conduc...
R4
The Board of Supervisors should consider providing the financial resources necessary to fund the budget for the long-term plan in the 2021-2022 fiscal year.
Response: Implemented
Score: 0
This recommendation has been implemented. GJ 1909 Response
A REPORT BY THE 2018-2019 CONTRA COSTA COUNTY GRAND JURY 725 Court Street Martinez, California 94553 Report 1909 Contra Costa County Psychiatric Emergency Services Improving Care for Children and Adolescents APPROVED BY THE GRAND JURY IC/ Ulf:Y "J-2, '2-tJ Date RICHARD S. NAKANO GRAND JURY FOREPERSON ACCEPTED FOR FILING MAY 2 4 2019 Date --------
Contact: Richard S. Nakano Foreperson 925-522-6941 Contra Costa County Grand Jury Report 1909 Contra Costa County Psychiatric Emergency Services Improving Care for Children and Adolescents T...
F5
The Library has not developed a long-term plan for permanently housing the Collection.
Response: Disagree
Score: -1
Respondent disagrees with this finding. Contra Costa has contracted with John Muir Behavioral Health Center for approximately 20 years to provide inpatient psychiatric services to youth detained on involuntary psychiatric holds (5150 Welfare and Institutions Code). Contract No. 24-794-8 with John Muir had a payment limit of $3,270,781 for the term July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019. The most recent amendment for this contract was approved by the Board of Supervisors on June 18, 2019. F6. The Medical Center's 4D wing is vacant with no plans for its utilization. Response: Respondent agrees with ...
F6
The Library has received a grant of professional preservationist services that will provide a basis on which to develop short- and long-term plans for safeguarding and housing the Collection.
Response: Agree
Score: +1
Respondent agrees with this finding. F7. The Contra Costa Mental Health Commission recommended changes to PES to improve treatment space for children and adolescents. The grand Jury did not find any evidence that the Commission's recommendations had been implemented. Response: Respondent agrees with this finding. The Mental Health Commission report titled "Mental Health System and Budget Crisis in Contra Costa County, FY16/17" was issued in April, 2016 and later updated in 2017 and 2018. It referenced the negative impact of insufficient availability of outpatient, inpatient and residential ser...
F7
The Contra Costa County Historical Society is a potential repository for the Collection.
Response: Agree
Score: +1
Respondent agrees with this finding. The Mental Health Commission report titled "Mental Health System and Budget Crisis in Contra Costa County, FY16/17" was issued in April, 2016 and later updated in 2017 and 2018. It referenced the negative impact of insufficient availability of outpatient, inpatient and residential services on PES, but did not include specific recommendations to improve treatment space for youth within PES. However, the County's Behavioral Health Division issued a response report titled "Update on the Grand Jury Report No. 1703 and Referrals 115 & 116 - MHC's White Paper and...
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Board of Supervisors
July 09, 2019
•
11 pages
• 3 responses
•
Score: +2
(+2, 1, 0)
View Details ▾
3 responses to findings and recommendations
F4
The Library does not have a short-term plan for safeguarding the Collection after the Pleasant Hill branch closes, before a long-term plan can be implemented.
Response: Agree
Score: +1
for explanation. F6. The Library has received a grant of professional preservationist services that will provide a basis on which to develop short- and long-term plans for safeguarding and housing the Collection. F6 Response. The respondent agrees with the finding.
F7. The Contra Costa County Historical Society is a potential repository for the Collection. F7 Response. The respondent agrees with the finding. F8. The Contra Costa County Historical Society would like to house the Library's Collection. F8 Response. The respondent agrees with the finding. RECOMMENDATIONS R1. The Library should co...
R4
The Board of Supervisors should consider providing the financial resources necessary to fund the budget for the long-term plan in the 2021-2022 fiscal year.
Response: Requires Analysis
Score: 0
Response. The recommendation requires further analysis. The Library budget reflects needs for library services across the entire county. Earmarking funding for one project may have adverse effects on needs in other service areas. CLERK'S ADDENDUM Written commentary was provided by Dick Offerman and Nancy Evans (attached). ATTACHMENTS Attachment 1 to Response to 1903: March 2019 Library Commission Agenda Attachment 2 to Response to 1903: Central Collections Proposal Reissued 2018/19 Civil Grand Jury Report No. 1903: Safeguarding the Library's Local History Collection
MEETING OF THE LIBRARY COM...
F7
The Contra Costa County Historical Society is a potential repository for the Collection.
Response: Agree
Score: +1
. The Contra Costa County Historical Society is a potential repository for the Collection. F7 Response. The respondent agrees with the finding. F8. The Contra Costa County Historical Society would like to house the Library's Collection. F8 Response. The respondent agrees with the finding. RECOMMENDATIONS R1. The Library should consider developing a short-term plan by September 2019 for safeguarding the Collection while a long-term plan is being developed and implemented. R1 Response. The recommendation has been implemented. A plan for disposition of the collection was presented in a report to ...
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Board of Supervisors
March 04, 2019
•
16 pages
• 12 responses
•
Score: +1
(+2, 9, -1)
View Details ▾
12 responses to findings and recommendations
F1
The Library is transitioning from a traditional storehouse for books into a technology center, literacy advocate, and community gathering place.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
The respondent partially disagrees with the finding. While there were 23 vacancies on March 4, 2019, at the time of the Grand Jury finding, there are currently 18 vacant social worker II/III vacant permanent positions. F2. CFS has an annual staff attrition rate of 28 percent. Response: The respondent partially disagrees with the finding. While the attrition rate was 28 percent for social worker II/III's at the time of the Grand Jury inquiry, this rate greatly fluctuates over time. Most recently, from February 1, 2019 through April 30, 2019, there was a social worker II/III turnover rate of 2.9...
R1
The Library should consider developing a short-term plan by September 2019 for safeguarding the Collection while a long-term plan is being developed and implemented.
Response: Will Implement
Due: September 2019
Scheduled: Fiscal Year 2019/20
Score: +1
The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented. EHSD will coordinate with the Human Resources department to plan and schedule a survey in Fiscal Year 2019/20. R2. The Board of Supervisors should consider implementing EHSD's proposal for incentives to aid in recruiting new social workers for CFS in the 2020-2021 budget cycle. Response: The recommendation requires further analysis to determine if the results will be effective and fiscally sustainable. The analysis should be completed by November 10, 2019. R3. The Board of Supervisors should consider directing EHSD to co...
F2
The Pleasant Hill branch is closing in late September 2019 to make way for a new branch which is scheduled to open in the Spring of 2021.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
The respondent partially disagrees with the finding. While the attrition rate was 28 percent for social worker II/III's at the time of the Grand Jury inquiry, this rate greatly fluctuates over time. Most recently, from February 1, 2019 through April 30, 2019, there was a social worker II/III turnover rate of 2.9%. F3. CFS hiring practices take up to six months, during which time some job applicants find employment elsewhere. Response: The respondent agrees with the finding. F4. Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD) has formed a task force to look for ways of speeding up the hiring pr...
R2
The Board of Supervisors should consider directing the Library to develop a long- term plan for housing the Collection, including a budget, by June 2020.
Response: Requires Analysis
Score: 0
The recommendation requires further analysis to determine if the results will be effective and fiscally sustainable. The analysis should be completed by November 10, 2019. R3. The Board of Supervisors should consider directing EHSD to continue its ongoing efforts to streamline the hiring process and reduce the amount of time it takes to make hiring decisions by December 31, 2019. Response: The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented. The recommendation requires the collaboration of the Human Resources Department to complete the implementation of an on-line exam tha...
F3
The new branch will not be able to house the Library’s Contra Costa County history Collection, most of which is currently housed in Pleasant Hill.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
The respondent agrees with the finding. F4. Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD) has formed a task force to look for ways of speeding up the hiring process. Response: The respondent agrees with the finding. F5. Compensation for CFS social workers is less than that for social workers in other Bay Area counties. Response: The respondent agrees with the finding. F6. CFS staff cite high workloads, poor leadership, and a stressful work environment as reasons for leaving, in addition to compensation. Response: The respondent partially disagrees with the finding. These reasons for leaving ...
R3
The Board of Supervisors should consider directing the Library to explore the feasibility of an agreement with the Contra Costa County Historical Society for housing the Collection by August 2019.
Response: Will Implement
Score: +1
The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented. The recommendation requires the collaboration of the Human Resources Department to complete the implementation of an on-line exam that will decrease the amount of time it takes to hire new social workers. EHSD's goal is to have the on-line exam available on or before December 31, 2019. R4. The Board of Supervisors should consider directing EHSD to hold CFS managers accountable for participating in its Leadership Development program by December 31, 2019. Response: The recommendation will not be implemented, because all 7 ...
F4
The Library does not have a short-term plan for safeguarding the Collection after the Pleasant Hill branch closes, before a long-term plan can be implemented.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
The respondent agrees with the finding. F5. Compensation for CFS social workers is less than that for social workers in other Bay Area counties. Response: The respondent agrees with the finding. F6. CFS staff cite high workloads, poor leadership, and a stressful work environment as reasons for leaving, in addition to compensation. Response: The respondent partially disagrees with the finding. These reasons for leaving are
supported by the 2017 exit interviews. However, the Department believes citing these reasons for leaving will trend downwards, as caseloads have decreased significantly for ...
R4
The Board of Supervisors should consider providing the financial resources necessary to fund the budget for the long-term plan in the 2021-2022 fiscal year.
Response: Will Not Implement
Score: -1
The recommendation will not be implemented, because all 7 of the current CFS Division Managers have completed the Leadership Academy training. This is a mandated training for all managers and newly hired managers are always scheduled for the current Leadership classes that are being offered.
R5. The Board of Supervisors should consider directing EHSD to develop and implement a formal process for handling and resolving CFS client complaints by June 30, 2020. Response: The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented. On-line information on how to access CFS staff or Omb...
F5
The Library has not developed a long-term plan for permanently housing the Collection.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
The respondent agrees with the finding. F6. CFS staff cite high workloads, poor leadership, and a stressful work environment as reasons for leaving, in addition to compensation. Response: The respondent partially disagrees with the finding. These reasons for leaving are
supported by the 2017 exit interviews. However, the Department believes citing these reasons for leaving will trend downwards, as caseloads have decreased significantly for staff in 2018 and in the first quarter of 2019. The previously higher vacancy rate has been the main contributor to increased caseloads and, therefore, inc...
F6
The Library has received a grant of professional preservationist services that will provide a basis on which to develop short- and long-term plans for safeguarding and housing the Collection.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
The respondent partially disagrees with the finding. These reasons for leaving are
supported by the 2017 exit interviews. However, the Department believes citing these reasons for leaving will trend downwards, as caseloads have decreased significantly for staff in 2018 and in the first quarter of 2019. The previously higher vacancy rate has been the main contributor to increased caseloads and, therefore, increased stress in the workforce. Since the vacancy rate has been decreasing, so have caseload levels. F7. CFS does not have consistent practices for performance reviews to foster staff and ...
F7
The Contra Costa County Historical Society is a potential repository for the Collection.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
The respondent disagrees with the finding, as CFS is in alignment with EHSD process and practice of employee evaluations in addition to regularly scheduled supervision meetings with employees. Inconsistencies can occur during periods of high vacancy and turnover rates, however CFS managers do provide back-up to supervisors to ensure that performance is being appropriately evaluated and monitored. F8. EHSD has proposed incentives to encourage new hires to accept offers of employment. These include a five percent premium over base pay, signing bonuses, tuition reimbursement, and assistance with ...
F8
The Contra Costa County Historical Society would like to house the Library’s Collection.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
The respondent agrees with the finding. These incentives have been proposed, but are still in the exploration phase. F9. EHSD has a Leadership Academy for all of its bureaus, but managers in CFS do not always participate or follow up with their staffs. Response: The respondent disagrees with the finding, as all 7 CFS Division Managers have completed the Leadership Academy training. CFS supervisors have not been mandated to attend the Leadership Academy, but do attend other child welfare trainings that include leadership practices. F10. CFS does not have a clearly defined set of procedures for ...
No Responses Found 1
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
Pleasant Hill
City