Riverside County Mental Health Department Public Guardian

After a review of the current policies and procedures the Grand Jury finds that the Public Guardian does not have a policy regarding the maximum number of clients served per Public Guardian Deputy. Documentation provided by the Public Guardian department revealed that current caseloads varied from fifty-nine (59) to one hundred ninety six (196) per Public Guardian Deputy. Sworn testimony obtained from interviewees indicates that caseloads to be reduced so that each patients needs can be managed more efficiently. Public Guardian management needs to make this assessment.

Upon reviewing the policies and procedures of the Public Guardian, the Grand Jury found that the policies and procedures manual have not been updated since 1988. The policy and procedure manual does not contain an index, which would facilitate locating policy topics. In accordance with Policy #407, a review is to be done annually. The Public Guardian does not follow their internal procedure. The laws and programs have changed, which include probate and penal codes.

Sworn testimony indicated that caseloads are unmanageable. It was revealed that there were tasks that additional clerical personnel could do that would free up the Public Guardian Deputies. Public Guardian Deputies stated that they must prioritize tasks, according to importance, and that consequently some tasks are left undone or delayed.

Testimony revealed that equipment such as ergonomic furniture, headphones, computers, software, and printers are outdated or inoperative for long periods of time.

According to Public Guardian management, the economic recession required a freeze on hiring but that has recently been suspended and additional staff are being hired to bring the Public Guardian staffing up to authorized levels. Sworn testimony from Public Guardian Deputies indicated that when caseloads exceed sixty (60) patients the quality of service is compromised. Additional testimony revealed that when Public Guardian Deputies complain about the loss of quality of services due to large caseloads, they are told, by supervisors to “do as much as you can.” 3

The Riverside County Public Guardian does not have a policy requiring staff meetings. At the time of this report sworn testimony indicated that there has not been a regular scheduled staff meeting with the Program Manager LPS/Probate staff since April 2013.