Transitional Age Youth:

Recommendations 1

• R18-24
  year old youth who emancipated from foster care or probation. Fact: The participation in ILSP and after school activities appropriate for a youth’s age and developmental level is on a volunteer basis controlled by the participant. Fact: The allocations and expenditures for TAY programs included in the funding of San Diego County’s Mental Health Services Act satisfy proper audit standards. FINDINGS Finding 01: Many TAY do not obtain necessary transition training because they are reluctant to volunteer for this training. Finding 02: Sufficient TAY programs are established and supervised by appropriate agencies; however, many of the agencies and departments practice a “silo” type of operation that does not result in maximum cooperation and sharing of information for the greatest benefit for the TAY. A “silo” type operation occurs when an agency or department develops appropriate programs, but the information is not shared with other entities that could utilize the same programs. Finding 03: The funds for TAY programs, which are within the MHSA funding for San Diego County, are within proper audit standards. Finding 04: TAY training should be started at the earliest possible age; some sources suggest at age five or younger. Fact—Set Two San Pasqual Academy Fact: Attendance at San Pasqual Academy (Academy) is a unique placement option for youth age twelve to eighteen. Fact: The Academy’s enrollment requires a youth’s voluntary application. Fact: On average, there are fifty vacant beds at the Academy on a monthly basis. Fact: The Academy is located in an isolated, rural area of San Diego County, which is one of the reasons that some eligible youth elect not to apply for enrollment. FINDINGS Finding 05: Fifty vacant beds each month at the Academy is cause for concern as many more TAY could participate in the program. Finding 06: In order to maximize Academy enrollment, additional site tours should be scheduled, and consideration by various TAY agencies should be given to overnight and weekend visits by eligible foster youth and their siblings. RECOMMENDATIONS The 2009/2010 San Diego County Grand Jury recommends that the Director of the Health and Human Service Agency, the Superintendent of the San Diego County Office of Education and the San Diego County Chief Probation Officer: 10-16: Direct the appropriate agencies/departments to establish policies and procedures that facilitate the sharing of Transitional Age Youth information. The 2009/2010 San Diego County Grand Jury recommends that the Director of the Health and Human Service Agency and the San Diego County Chief Probation Officer: 10-17: Require case social workers and probation officers to be more proactive in assisting foster youths in making positive decisions for volunteering to participate in Transitional Age Youth programs. The 2009/2010 San Diego County Grand Jury recommends that the Director of the Health and Human Service Agency: 10-18: Direct that the staff of the Child Welfare Services identify potential applicants for San Pasqual Academy and refer the qualified youth to the San Pasqual Academy staff. 10-19: Direct that the staff of the San Pasqual Academy conduct more on-site visits for eligible foster youth, to include overnight and weekend visits. COMMENDATION The Grand Jury toured the San Pasqual Academy facilities and commends the residential staff, educational staff, and youth in attendance. The overall operation of the Academy provides foster youth a safe, secure environment in which they can achieve a productive education and experience an abundance of “family lifestyle” supported activities. The Academy is a community success story. REQUIREMENTS AND INSTRUCTIONS The California Penal Code §933(c) requires any public agency which the Grand Jury has reviewed, and about which it has issued a final report, to comment to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court on the findings and recommendations pertaining to matters under the control of the agency. Such comment shall be made no later than 90 days after the Grand Jury publishes its report (filed with the Clerk of the Court); except that in the case 6 of a report containing findings and recommendations pertaining to a department or agency headed by an elected County official (e.g. District Attorney, Sheriff, etc.), such comment shall be made to the Presiding Judge with an information copy sent to the Board of Supervisors. Furthermore, California Penal Code §933.05(a), (b), (c), details, as follows, the manner in which such comment(s) are to be made: (a) As to each grand jury finding, the responding person or entity shall indicate one of the following: (1) The respondent agrees with the finding (2) The respondent disagrees wholly or partially with the finding, in which case the response shall specify the portion of the finding that is disputed and shall include an explanation of the reasons therefor. (b) As to each grand jury recommendation, the responding person or entity shall report one of the following actions: (1) The recommendation has been implemented, with a summary regarding the implemented action. (2) The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future, with a time frame for implementation. (3) The recommendation requires further analysis, with an explanation and the scope and parameters of an analysis or study, and a time frame for the matter to be prepared for discussion by the officer or head of the agency or department being investigated or reviewed, including the governing body of the public agency when applicable. This time frame shall not exceed six months from the date of publication of the grand jury report. (4) The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted or is not reasonable, with an explanation therefor. (c) If a finding or recommendation of the grand jury addresses budgetary or personnel matters of a county agency or department headed by an elected officer, both the agency or department head and the Board of Supervisors shall respond if requested by the grand jury, but the response of the Board of Supervisors shall address only those budgetary or personnel matters over which it has some decision making authority. The response of the elected agency or department head shall address all aspects of the findings or recommendations affecting his or her agency or department. Comments to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court in compliance with the Penal Code §933.05 are required from the: