2022-2023 Los Angeles County Civil Grand Jury Final Report

Recommendations 8

• R1
  Application • Apply online during specific time period. It may take several years to receive an HCV; sooner for an EHV. Client encouraged to make sure contact information stays current. • P
• R2
  Voucher available • Income verification • Criminal Background Check • Social Security card, Birth Certificate • Preferences verified (e.g. Proof of Homelessness) • How many people in household and their supporting documentation • Generally the deadline is 2-3 weeks to submit all documenta- tion requested (emphasis added), or forfeit your Voucher
• R3
  Problem Solving. The process of engaging in the proactive and systematic examination of identified problems to develop and evaluate effective responses. Referring back to the Kolts Commission’s 1992 recommendation that the LASD orient around COPS models of policing, the Special Counsel outlined that, “the department should do far more to teach and reinforce the message that all people are to be treated at all times with dignity and respect under a community-oriented policing strategy. The need to impose discipline will diminish as persons are trained and encouraged to deal in a respectful way with all persons. So then will jury verdicts and judgments against the LASD.”60 LASD did not formally adopt COPS in deputy training materials until 1999,61 and during the course of our research, our Committee found the practice had been inconsistently active or utilized. COMPARABLE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES Although the LASD is the largest agency of its kind in the country, it is not the only law enforcement agency in the County. LAPD and LBPD have a lot of interaction overlap with the citizens served by the Department. Both city LE agencies have instituted policies clearly outlining LEG policy, have adopted models of constitutional policing and have dynamic community engagement. We believe that it is in the best interest of the LASD to follow suit. Bobb, Merrick J. & Staff (Special Counsel), “The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department 1st Semiannual Report. Kotlz Report and Implementation. September 1, 1993.” Civil Rights Litigation Clearinghouse. (p. 293-294) https://clearinghouse.net/doc/10910/. Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department History. 2005. http://shq.lasdnews.net/content/captains/LASD_History.pdf (Last Accessed April 3, 2023). SHERIFF’S OPERATIONS: AN EROSION OF TRUST Examining Transparency, Accountability and Community Policing within the LASD 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT • LAPD Gang Policy: Their department’s policy clearly states, “Building and preserving trust between the community and law enforcement is crucial to effectively maintaining Department operations… All Department personnel are prohibited from participating in a law enforcement gang. A violation of this policy shall be grounds for termination.”62 • Office of Constitutional Policing and Policy: Their priority is to assist their personnel by supporting effective, constitutional policing through policies, procedures, analysis, advice, guidance, and other essential information.63 Their primary mission is to develop policies and procedures, analyze and review upcoming local, state and federal legislation and create, promote, and foster cultural competency in policing. LAPD also incorporates Constitutional policing in order to embrace diversity, equity, and inclusivity by enacting a formal, transparent, and progressive policy that safeguards every employee and community members’ rights.64 Additionally, the LAPD webpage outlining its department’s constitutional practices also contain all active consent decrees, controversial incidents and UOF reviews.65 LASD currently does make its UOF incidents public, but our Committee believes it should match LAPD by updating its website to include access to any and all consent decrees, restraining orders, etc. LONG BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT • LBPD Gang Policy: A “Law enforcement gang” means a group of peace officers within a law enforcement agency who may identify themselves by a name, may be associated with an identifying symbol, and engage in a pattern of on-duty behavior that intentionally violates the law or fundamental principles of professional policing [Penal Code §13670 (a)(2)]. To read the LAPD’s policy in full, please refer to
• R4
  Issuance • Client Orientation on expectations of the program requirements to remain in good standing. Example, no extra people living with you, report change of income, abide by lease agreement, etc. • Client receives a brief listing of potential Owners who may have available units. It is Client’s responsibility to find a unit. Depending on program there may be Move-In assistance available. • Client receives Request for Tenancy Approval packet, which shows how much rent HACLA will pay per month. This packet is to be given to potential Owner to fill out and submit to Case Worker • Client is given a deadline of how long they have to find a place before Voucher expires. If Client is having a problem securing a rental they should request a Time Extension. • Annual Recertification is explained to Client. • Client is informed that once they secure a place, they agree to remain leased for a period of one year, before they can request to be Ported out to a different PHA.
• R5
  Client finds a Landlord • Owner must submit Request for Tenancy Approval packet to Case Worker • A scheduled inspection of property. This is yearly, unless PHA decides it’s only with rent increase request • Owner is informed on Rent Increase request process • Owner is informed of how the program works and registration requirements, if necessary
• R6
  Leased Agreement between Client and Owner • Client and Tenant are both encouraged to communicate any issues first with each other. If an issue isn’t resolved they can involve the Case worker; they are encouraged to put everything in writing. HOUSING VOUCHERS FOR LOW INCOME AND HOMELESS ANGELENOS
• R8
  Standards and Procedures (Priority 2) - DHS management ensure written standards and procedures adequately guide supervisors and staff in the performance of their duties for all ORCHID processes. Recommendation Status: Partially Implemented - LACA-C confirmed DHS management established written standards and procedures to adequately guide supervisors and staff in the performance of their duties over the following processes: -Medical coding of patient services, including management monitoring of coding controls (Noted in Issue No. 7). -Monitoring of disaster recovery and business continuity services. However, DHS has not developed written standards and procedures over the following processes: -Management monitoring of privileged user activity reviews for DHS employees with high-level capabilities in ORCHID. - Maintenance of the medical code dictionary. The Department plans to fully implement this recommendation by July 1, 2023. Further communications with the Auditor's Office and a review of the April 4, 2023 interim audit report summarized above11 indicate that the problem is being resolved. That report indicates that, of the eight (8) outstanding recommendations proposed in conjunction with their March 19, 2021, Department of Health Services-ORCHID Review, two (2) have 11 April 4, 2023, Los Angeles County Auditor Controller Report: Department Of Public Health – ORCHID Review (Report #K19FZ - First Follow-Up Review) https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/auditor/audit_ reports/1139699_2023-04-04DHS-OnlineReal-TimeCentralizedHealthInformationDatabaseSystemReview- FirstFollow-UpReview.pdf 7 MEDI-CAL REIMBURSEMENT THE FINAL RESOLUTION OF AN ONGOING ISSUE 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY been fully implemented and six (6) were partially implemented. All were due to be fully implemented no later than September 30, 2023.12
• R18
  registration with the Selective Service System. DCFS should provide training so the youth can open a bank account, and apply for admission to colleges. 1.2c BOS should lobby the state legislature for authorization to extend TAY services to as early as age 14 and as late as age 24. 1.3 DCFS and Probation should provide training to foster parents or guardians of TAYs to educate them to the procedures, assistance and processes to effectively assist TAYs under their care during the transition period. 1.3a DCFS or Probation should require foster parents to receive training and guidance as mandated by the MDT plans. Foster parents and court appointed educational advocates must 26 AGING OUT: TRANSITIONAL AGED YOUTH 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY participate in educational plans with school administration and/or community organizations. 1.3b DCFS or Probation should provide foster parents with pertinent case history upon placement. 1.4 DMH should provide Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in addition to all other therapy services. 1.5 Each department should contribute to an Individual Transition Plan. The Individual Transition Plan should be a collaborative effort of all the involved departments, and the implementation should begin when the TAY reaches age 16. DCFS or Probation should develop one cohesive plan which includes the desires of the youth for continuing their education/training and future goals. All agencies should ensure that TAYs and their foster parents participate in all meetings concerning the TAY’s case. The departments must ensure that TAYs are given the opportunity to express themselves without fear of retribution. 1.6 LAHSA should fully provide $500,000 to Covenant House LA for staffing and operational costs so that 16 youths can move into the additional section.