Ventura Courity2003-2004 GrandJury FinalReport Under-Served Children in Ventura County

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Continued efforts should be made to preserve and develop the programs as outlined in this report.

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Continued efforts should be made to preserve and develop the programs as outlined in this report.

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Continued efforts should be made to preserve and develop the programs as outlined in this report.

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Continued efforts should be made to preserve and develop the programs as outlined in this report.

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Continued efforts should be made to preserve and develop the programs as outlined in this report.

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Continued efforts should be made to preserve and develop the programs as outlined in this report.

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Continued efforts should be made to preserve and develop the programs as outlined in this report.

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Continued efforts should be made to preserve and develop the programs as outlined in this report.

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Continued efforts should be made to preserve and develop the programs as outlined in this report.

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Continued efforts should be made to preserve and develop the programs as outlined in this report.

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Funding should be aggressively sought to provide for the programs outLned in this report, rather than wait until costly required. more services are 4 Under-ServedChildren Ventura County in Ventura Couny2003-2004GrandJury FinalReport

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Continued funding well affordable site should be located for Safe as as a more Harbor Ventura. in Responses Required Ventura County Board ofSupervisors, R-02, R-03 Ventura County DistrictAttorney, R-03 Responses Requested Ventura County Human Services Agency, R-01, R-02 Commendations This report deals primarily with HSA's participation the ofthe mentioned in service youth population. The Grand Jury that several public and private is aware agencies throughout the community also responsible for the tremendous efforts made to are develop communitypartnerships to address these needs. We wish to commend service all mentioned for their commitment and work done this effort. agencies in Under-Served Children inVenturaCounty 5 Ventura Coupzty2003-2004GrandJury FiHaZReport ATTACHMENT I CHILDRENWITH BOTH AGGRESSIVETENDENCIES & LIMITED INTELLECTUAL CAPACITY. Very few children served by Children and Family Services Department (CFS) have the dual conditions of tendencies and limited intellectualcapacity. It should be aggressive noted that many children who have been abused or neglected experience various developmental delays. Similarly, many have emotionalchallenges. However, when a child does have significant multiple challenges, such retardation (I.Q. 70 lower) as or coupled with aggressiveness, the services are complex to arrange and can result in delay in treatment and placement stabiity for the child. The following describes how CFS addresses these special needs children: SPECIALIZED PLACEMENT UNIT CFS has SpecializedPlacementUnit. The social workers the unit work exclusively a in with chddren who have significant emotionalneeds, and who placementin require treatment faciLties. Among those served are a few children, less than five in number, who both low functioning and violent. are CFS social workers consistently encounter difficulties locating appropriate placement facilities in or out ofState. The common response from a prospective facility's staffis that the facility is only licensed for one condition or the other, not both. The result for the child be oftemporary placements, includingpsychiatric hospitaLzation, can a series such Porterville State Hospital, while suitable treatmentfacility located that will as a is accept the child. Frequently, temporary placements, such Casa Pacifica Shelter and as Tri-Counties Regional Center Crisis (TCRC) Homes, must provide 1:1 ratio for safety a watch ofthe child. Ifthe child is placed in Porterville State Hospital, the supervision educational disruptedbecause though child attends school Monday progress is even a through Friday while residence, the credits not transferable. However, children in are who placed in Casa Pacifica graduate and diploma from Oxnard High are can receive a School District. Delays suitable placement for these children caused by number offactors, in are a includingcoordination between TCRC and CFS. TCRC regulations that require a regional center assessment be performed to determine level ofplacement. Ifthe Tri- Counties' assessment differs from other assessments, the delay be prolonged. Ifthe can TCRC assessment recommends lower level of but there placements the a care are no in category that wdl accept the child, this situation prolongs the delay suitable in placement. The age ofthe child is also a factor. For example, an aggressive young/small child may be less dangerous to residents and staffthan old0argeryouth. By law, dependents ofthe court (children who are under Court supervision due to abuse neglect) cannot be housed in lock-down facilities, except for psychiatric holds (per or Section 5150 ofthe Welfare and Institutions Code) when youth has committed or a a crime that requires detention in juvenile hall or incarceration. California's lock-down facilities consist ofpsychiatric state hospitals andjuvenile detention centers. Under-Served Children VenturaCounty in Ventura County2003-2004GrandJury FinalReport Chddren who have been assessed significantly low functioning and who have violent as tendencies, such sexual assault, have been placed in State Developmental Centers as with the Judge's order ofcommitment. Even then, it is difficult to get child with a a history ofviolence into Developmental Center. a Multi-disciplinaryplanning to remedy significant barriers is available via the Interagency Case Management Council (ICMC), Shomair Assessment Team, Therapeutic Behavioral Services (TBS) and "Wraparound Services." soon, * The agencies at the table in these forums include Mental Health, CFS, Probation, Public Health, Schools, TCRC and other professionals and concerned citizens (primarily from the Mental Health Advisory Board). Although low functioningyouth typically TCRC clients and SSI recipients due to are their disabilities, it challenge to complete long term independentliving plans remains a for them. In summary, the numbers are only a few (less than 5) out ofthe 74 total (December 2003) CFS foster youth in group homes or residential treatment centers. In few families take ofthese children, but only with lots ofsupport and a cases, can care "wraparoun"' u services. I I *A"Wraparound" programis a family-focused, strengths-based programwhereintensiveand comprehensivesocial, mentalhealthandhealth "wrappe&' aroundch2drenandtheirfamilies servicesare (biological, adoptive and/orfosterfamilies) toreinforcenaturalfamilysupports. Programteamsconsistof any andallparticipants in a child'slife (e.g., teachers, ministers, service providers, extendedfamily, biologicalparents, fosterparents.) Under-ServedChildren in VenturaCounty 7 Ventura County2003 2004 GrandJury FinalReport - ATTACHMENT II EMANCIPATING FOSTERYOUTH IN NEED OF LOW-COST HOUSING & TRAINING IN LIFE SKILLS There has been a steadily growing concern about the needs offoster youth who grow up in the `system' and emancipate independent adults when they 18 19 as are or (depending when they expected to graduate from high school). Life skills' on are training for fosteryouth is available from several sources. Low-income housingin the I county remains scarce. The following summarizes the major services available for these youth: INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS PROGRAM The ILP is a state and federally mandated program for foster youth ages 16 and older. After youth emancipate from foster care at the age ofmajority, usually 18 years old, ILP services remain available to them until they reach age 21. i I I HSAcontracts with Interface Children Family Services to deLver the ILP life skills All court dependent foster ch0dren and all probationyouth have right and services. a an opportunity to participate in services. ILP is, by law, a voluntary program. Youth who placed out-of-county referred to ILP in the county ofplacement. In addition are are to the Interface staff, CFS funds half-time social worker ILP Laison. In the last a as an I year, there have been frequent shifts and turnover in staffassigned to the program. ILP ASSESSMENT To encourage participation, a face-to-face visit is made to each in-countyyouth by an ILP case manager. The case manager describes the benefits ofthe program, including I the classes, special events and financial incentive to attend the classes. ILP CLASSES Basic classes include: Housing Money Management O Career Development O Health & Wellness Legal Issues Transportation Advanced Courses include: College Applications Financial Credit Social Skills Stress Management Anger Management 8 Under-ServedChildren VenturaCounty in Ventura Coun?y2003-2004GrandJury Fina!Report ILP SPECIAL EVENTS In addition, there are field trips, retreats, holiday celebrations and an annual ILP graduation event. Donations by community members and groups provide youth with householditems for those who will be their Partnerships with private on own soon. businesses and bank provide youth the opportunityfor mentorships, bank accounts a and other special services. ILP STATISTICS One hundred eleven youth participatingcurrentlyin ILP in Ventura County. O are Ofthat number, 73 are under the age of 18. Most ofthe youth participating county CFS clients. I in are Probation has smaller percentage participatingin the county because the a dearth ofappropriate Ventura County placements for special needs youth necessitates out-of-county placement. As of 12/31/2003, CFS had 101 youth, 16 years and older, in out-of-home care. or those, 15 placed out-of-county. are Interface records reflect that 240 youth, over the age of 18 and up to age 21, have lost touch with ILP. Seventeenyouth exited foster care at the age ofmajority since July 1, 2003; of those, Interface reports, three did not have/speciy housingplan. a TILP (Transitional LivinE Planl All youth in out-of-home 16 and older, work plan for his/her future with care, age on a a social worker probation officer. Ifthe youth is participating ILP, he she also or in or works planning with ILP If child has Lmited functioning, the on an case manager. a socialworker coordinates with the child's providers to develop plan. a EMANCIPATION CONFERENCE I I The Emancipation Conference youth led independentLving planning is a session. Participation voluntary. The youth invite famdy members, friends and other is may significant persons as support. The needs discussed are those specified by the youth. Two trained facilitators ensure the focus is positive and that all comments are framed as needs. The youth is encouraged to schedule at least one follow-up session. Conferences, including follow-up, held week. Between May 2003 and are once a January 31, 2004, 28 youth have been served, including follow-up There have sessions. been periods where referrals have been put hold due to staffing. on I EMANCIPATIONHEALTH CONSULT i CFS youth that will be exiting foster care at the age ofmajority are referred to the CHDP Foster Care Nurse for individualized health consultation. This health an service is in addition to the many health services provided by the two CHDP Foster Care Nurses who both CFS and Probation. serve Under-ServedChildren in Ventura County 9 I I Ventura County2003-2004GrandJury FinalReport The nurse goes to the youth's placementifthe youth is in county. Out-of-countyyouth phone consultation and materials mail. The discusses the youth's receive a via nurse specific health needs, where to get health services in the area the youth plans to reside and does general health consultation. The youth is given a zip binder with his/her health record in addition to a health reference text. The nurse also explains the beneflt ofextendedMedi-Cal. The site and regularly communicate with the nurses are on social workers who make the referrals behalfofthe youth. Seventeenyouth service on received health consults 2003. Currently, scheduled. in six more are EXTENDED MEDI-CAL Fosteryouth that exit foster care at the age ofmajority have the right to receive continuedMedi-Cal coverage to meet their medical needs untd age 21. There are no I forms office visits required. The youth has only to keep the Foster Care ELgibility or officer informed of change her/his address. However, youth sometimes negatively any in associate Medi-Cal and other services with the `system,' which reduces participation. HOUSING The TransitionalHousing Program (THP) is semi-independentliving situation for 17- a and 18-year-oldfoster youth (both CFS and Probation clients). Youth reside semi- in a independent setting where they learn basic household management and independent living skills. The youth reside apartmentcomplex Thousand Oaks managedby in an in Many Mansions. THP is by Interface. An adult mentor from Interface resides run in ofthe apartments, which the youth the privileges and responsibiLtiesofbeing one gives I an adult, with the security of an on-site supervisor. The youth must keep the mentor I informed oftheir whereabouts at all times, and they meet regularlywith the mentor. The youth experience learning to shop, cook, houseclean, bank, handle a budget, pay bdls and get along with roommates and neighbors. The youth required to search for are and obtain a part-timejob as well as attend school. They receive assistance in Lfe planning and life skills. various Applyingto the THP is voluntary. Youth are interviewed and screened prior to acceptance. Community organizations provide mentorships and household programs, goods for the youth. Foster payments fund the placement. Interface staffs the care program. The number ofslots available ranges from seven to ten. Currently, the slots are full. Before a youth leaves the THP program, he/she is expected to have a plan, which i includes housing. TRANSITIONALLIVING PROGRAM Interface operates an after-housing program called the Transitional Living Program (TLP), for youth who are on their own. The program includes host homes and some apartments for those who homeless. The host homes rentals for which are are room Interface offers monthly stipend. a i i I I 10 Under-ServedChildren VenturaCounty in Ventara Coumy2003-2004GrandJury Fi~ralRepart ATTACHMENT III CHILDRENWHO LIVEWITH &WITNESS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Chidren who have witnessed domestic violence have been physically injured or as a result often served by CFS, particularlyifthe non-offendingparent is unable to are I protect. Domestic violence may be one element ofabuse in addition to other abuse or neglect child a experiences. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROTOCOL CFS, law enforcement and the shelters have DomesticViolence Protocol for a coordinating protection ofchddren and to the famdy. services REFERRALS OF ABUSE and NEGLECT CFS Hotline procedures include for domestic violence. Statewide, referrals screening involvingchild abuse related to domestic violence may be coded as emotional abuse, physical abuse neglect depending the circumstances. or on i Because ofthe statewide referral categories, statistics for referrals ofdomestic violence- I related abuse numbers are not singly available. Referrals which were found to substantiate abuse the month ofDecember 2003 yielded 82 in the sexual abuse in category, 168 physical abuse, 229 general neglect and 87 emotional abuse. SAFE HARBOR: MULTI-DISCIPLINARYINTERVIEW andADVOCACY CENTER O Safe Harbor is a coalition ofpublic and private agencies dedicatedto serving chdd victims ofsexual, neglect and physical abuse, and adult victims of severe sexual assault. The purpose is to help the victims feel more comfortable and to eliminate repeated interviews. Safe Harbor reduces trauma and intimidation to I the victims and provides needed information for dependency and criminal filing considerations. The Center will promote and improve interagency cooperation and coordination among county agencies and between criminal and dependencyinvestigations. It conducts forensic interviews and medical examinations by specially trained staff, and provides intervention and referrals for child and adult victims and crisis their famiLes. The Center prevents repetitive incidents ofchild abuse and sexual assault through effective intervention and prosecution, and promotes on-going training to continuous quality improvement. ensure Team members CFS, DistrictAttorney, all law enforcement are: agencies in Ventura County, Ventura County Health Care Agency, New Horizons Outreach, Ventura County ChildAbuse Prevention Council, The CoaLtion to End Domestic and SexualViolence, Interface Children Family Services, Casa Pacifica, the Under-ServedChildren in Ventura County 11 Venlura Connly2003-2004 GratzdJury FinalReport Ventura County Family Violence Prevention Partnership, and the Ventura County MedicalAssociation. The lead agency is the DistrictAttorney's office. There two sites: Safe Harbor West in Ventura and Safe Harbor East in Simi are Valley. ADDITIONALSERVICES CASE PLAN SERVICES Case plans developed by CFS social workers for all famiLes that under the are are ofCFS, whether Court ordered voluntary. For situations that involve supervision or I domestic violence, case plan services may include women's shelter services, anger management for the perpetrator, counseling, and psychological evaluations. Some children with the non-offending caregiver and others placed in ofkin remain are care or foster parents. In-home counselingprovided by CFS via contract with either Interface or Aspira Foster FamilyAgency may be provided free ofcharge to the non-offending parent and the chdd. SYSTEM COORDINATION 1. Safe Harbor 2. DomesticViolence Court Team: severaljudges and representatives from I Probation, DistrictAttorney, treatmentprograms, Court Clerk's office and others meet regularly to coordinate systems and behalfofthe children and services on famdies where domestic violence has occurred. Judge Colleen Toy White, who hears all misdemeanor domestic violence cases, is the team lead. Fairly recent legislation requires that batterers attend 52 weeks oftreatment and an additional 52 weeks ofparenting. I i II 3. Partnership for Safe Families I i I i i 12 Under-ServedChildren inVenturaCounty i Ventura County2003-2004GrandJury FinalReport ATTACHMENT IV SUBSTANCE ABUSERS & THEIR FAMILIES DRUG COURT The Court, CFS, Public Health, CalWORKS, Behavioral Health, includingtwo residential treatmenthomes coordinate to provide a structured and intensive program for substance mothers ofnewborns. In those situations where mother eLgible using a is for the program, she is able to have her baby, and sometimes another young child, reside with her in the residential facility. The program involves frequent meetings with the judge and the rest ofthe drug court team for the mother to share her progress, and for the team to provide guidance and expectations. The program involves many hours of service. CFS has two fulltime socialworkers devoted to drug court. Public Healthhas a drug court nurse that assists with the mother's and child's health needs. The program is generally full. As ofDecember 31, 2003, there 27 (children). were cases SUBSTANCE EXPOSED INFANT REFERRALS I CFS keeps track ofall referrals from hospitals ofinfants born exposed to drugs and area alcohol. Between July 2003 and December 31, 2003, CFS received referrals regarding I 51 infants born prenatally exposed to drugs. Given that the majority of general cases in I involve substance use, this figure may be low. The statewide categories ofabuse and neglect do not pertain to unborn chddren. However, when Ventura County CFS referrals ofpregnant who receives women are substance users, Public Health nursing is contacted so that services can be provided through countywide programs, Every Family Counts and the field nursing component. SERVICES Infants born exposed to drugs or alcohol are often referred to the Tri-CountyEarly Start program for assessment and developmental services. CFS social workers develop case plans that often include drug testing for the substance using parents, 12-step referral, alcohol and drug treatment/counselingthrough varietyof CFS funds the a sources. drug testing. Some chidren able to their homes. Others placedwith are remain in are kin foster or care. SYSTEM COORDINATION Ofnote are the coordination efforts oftwo judges with the Proposition 36 Operations Committee, the Public Defender's office and Public Health. In those essence, individuals referred to the Proposition 36 Program for drug/alcohol related issues will provide family information that the family be served by the Every Family Counts i so can program. Every Family Counts is administered by PubLc Health. Nurses make home visits to famdies, which include a child under age 6, to assess health and auxiliary needs ofthe famdy. Under-ServedChildren inVenturaCounty 13

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Continued efforts should be made to preserve and develop the programs as outlined in this report.

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Continued efforts should be made to preserve and develop the programs as outlined in this report.

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Continued efforts should be made to preserve and develop the programs as outlined in this report.

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Continued efforts should be made to preserve and develop the programs as outlined in this report.

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Continued efforts should be made to preserve and develop the programs as outlined in this report.

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Continued efforts should be made to preserve and develop the programs as outlined in this report.