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Extracted from Consolidated Report

This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.

Los Angeles County Grand Jury • 2016-2017

Make Invsetments that Transform Lives

Published: June 05, 2017 36 pages
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Findings 20 findings

F1
Many of HV simply didn’t know how or where to go to seek assistance, other than the Veterans Administration. There is no outreach to veterans in the areas of heavy HV concentration, which is mainly the Skid Row area.
F2
County benefits are given only for one year of assistance, after which one needs to reapply for extended benefits. This is not enough time to achieve a lifestyle readjustment. There must be a minimum of two years assistance per application period in order to seek and find housing, establish medical support and job training in order to ensure that the HV regains a smooth entry into civilian society.
F3
Much of the humanitarian assistance to the HV e.g. medical, housing and counseling, is provided by nonprofit organizations, for example Los Angeles Rescue Mission and Union Rescue Mission. Many HV camp in tents or make-shift shelters in places like Skid Row. The CGJ visited several missions and hotels on Skid Row which feed the general homeless population, and found that the majority of HV live within short walking distance of these missions.
F4
The OMVA is located in Patriotic Hall. They help veterans with the paperwork to obtain their military benefits. Many HV are unaware of or unable to get to Patriotic Hall which is approximately 2.9 miles from the Skid Row area. We discovered through our interviews with HV that they will not travel across the city because they lack the ability of securing their possessions. If HV venture out to Patriotic Hall, all their belongings would be in jeopardy of being confiscated, as they are kept in shopping carts and tents.
F5
Measure HHH was passed by the City of Los Angeles to provide housing for the homeless. The initiative allocated approximately $1.2 billion a year. The CGJ would like to see the City allocate a percentage of these monies specifically to HV in the City of Los Angeles.
F6
Measure H was passed by the County to provide supportive services for the homeless to include coverage for first and last months’ rent payments. This proposition added a .25% sales tax for the County of Los Angeles, which is expected to bring in approximately $300 million annually. The CGJ would like to see the County allocate a percentage of these monies specifically to HV and their families for supportive services in the County. 100 2016-2017 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT
F7
The CGJ found that approximately $5 million in federal grant money was given to the Homeless Initiative for the Home for Heroes and the HACoLA programs. The LASHA and HACoLA programs’ expenditures, reflected in Figures 1, 2, 3, show the breakdowns. Pursuant to interviews with executives in the Homeless Initiative Department of the CEO’s office, 15% was utilized for administrative services by the CEO before it was distributed to the Home for Heroes Program. Once the contracts are awarded, additional administrative fees will incur. Pursuant to California Military & Veterans Code Section 927, this is not allowed.
F8
A number of County and Los Angeles City offices have a working relationship with the missions throughout the County. These relationships have assisted HV to obtain housing and supportive services. However, as seen in Figure 3, and as described to us during our interviews, successes have not been as plentiful as desired.
F9
As seen in Figures 1 and 2, the procurement process is very slow. Authorized funding is not reaching those in need in a timely manner. Funding allocated in 2015 was to be distributed over an 18 month period through June 30, 2017. As of this writing, no contracts have been approved or funded. V
F10
Prior to its repeal in 1998, Section 1043, Title 15, State Correction Standards, recommended that “an annual itemized report of expenditures be submitted to the BOS, posted in each jail facility, and made available to the public,” as reported in the 1999-2000 CGJ report.
F11
This year’s CGJ discovered many valuable and worthwhile programs being funded by the IWF; i.e., Tattoo Removal Program, “Back on Track” Program, Birth Certificate Program, GED Educational and Vocational programs.
F12
In reviewing the Minutes of past IWC meetings, it was found that some members of the Marketing/Branding Committee expressed frustration in not publicizing the programs that are funded by the IWF (i.e. farm program at Pitchess Detention Center; Tattoo Removal Program) and that their suggestions about informing the public about Inmate Welfare funded programs are not being fully addressed.15
F13
In reviewing copies of the LASD (draft) revised IWC Bylaws,16 it appears that the role of the IWC is being diminished; e.g. “Duties of the Commission: Approve funding requests by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for projects benefiting inmates housed in the jail facilities of Los Angeles County, review ongoing projects, and set discuss funding priorities from/for the Inmate Welfare Fund of Los Angeles County, in accordance with Penal Code 4025.” (Emphasis added).
F14
In reviewing the Minutes of IWC meetings, it appears that annual spending plans are not being reviewed or approved in a timely manner, as set forth in the Bylaws.17
F15
The LASD Director of Facilities Bureau has authority to spend up to 49% of the IWF proceeds without official review or approval of the IWC. The Director appears at the IWC meetings as a courtesy and provides updates pertaining to the IWF expenditures on maintenance to LASD jail facilities.18
F16
The CGJ is not aware of any inappropriate usage of IWF. We do, however, question the follow-up and oversight of some of the programs that are in place and whether adequate performance measures are being used to report back to the IWC in recommending continuance or improvements needed in programs.19
F17
The CGJ witnessed a presentation of the Tattoo Removal Program at the March 2017 IWC meeting wherein $250,000 in overtime was requested by staff to continue the program. 14 1/29/16 IWC chairman inquired when last audit was completed. Dir. Joe advised it was completed August 2015 and a copy would be provided to the IWC 15 IWC Minutes: January, February, March, October, November 2016 16 Draft of revised Bylaws obtained 3/2/17 from LASD Inmate Services Bureau senior official 17 Ibid. Meeting with LASD senior staff Facilities Bureau 19 IWC Minutes, 2/26/16 requesting program reports to show value 112 2016-2017 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT When commissioners questioned staff on the funding request, staff was unclear on how many months it would cover. Many questions were raised about the need for overtime instead of straight time. Alternatives or suggestions from the commissioners in efforts to avoid the use of overtime in providing tattoo removal services to inmates was not taken up at that time.
F18
Some senior LASD program managers were unable to readily explain to the CGJ the financial status of various programs, activities and expenditures.
F19
In reviewing IWC Minutes, it does not appear that commissioners are aware of weekly Town Hall meetings with inmates, or getting feedback in soliciting inmates’ comments regarding IWF expenditures and/or programs.20
F20
The term “not needed” as used in §4025 is vague. V

Recommendations 20