Response

R18

Recommendation Number 3: Establish new Foster Care Provider contracts and/or reactivate contracts with former Foster Care providers for child placements, with the approval of Community Care Licensing. Response: The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future. An RFP was initiated in early 2004 for a professional Foster Parent Recruiter. A provider was selected specifically for the desert area to include Blythe. The contract for this provider has been recently approved. The deputy director and the regional manager of placement services will be meeting with this provider in the next few weeks to establish the priorities for the desert area recruitment beginning with Blythe. Additionally, a contract has been established for a Parent Partner Program. This program will provide experienced foster parents to support and assist newly recruited foster parents. This program is also specifically focused on the desert area and Blythe. Recommendation Number 4: Repair, update and maintain the teleconferencing system in the Blythe CPS Office to reduce the number of trips for staff training. Response: The recommendation has been implemented. Operational teleconferencing equipment has been placed in the Blythe CPS office conference room. Currently, the CPS supervisor and staff are making use of this equipment for program meetings, supervisor meetings and trainings. Recommendation Number 5: Riverside County Fleet Services Department elevate vehicle maintenance standards for county vehicles used by the Blythe Children's Service staff members to ensure reliable mechanical operations and maximum safety. Response: The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future. All of the DPSS vehicles assigned to Blythe have had a thorough safety inspection. Of the seven vehicles assigned, four required minor repairs which have been completed and one vehicle has been replaced. The policy for vehicle dispatchers is being updated to reflect the requirement that preventative maintenance service be conducted every 4,000 miles. In addition, arrangements will be made through County Fleet Services to check out other vehicles while they are being serviced in order to ensure adequate availability of cars for the workers. Recommendation Number 6: The Department of Mental Health develop and implement a tracking system in Blythe to monitor the effectiveness of the Substance Abuse and other Mental Health counseling services provided to family members. Response: The recommendation has been implemented. a. DPSS has indicated they will use the standardized referral form (DPSS 2212) to refer individuals for both substance abuse treatment and mental health services. DPSS has indicated they will attach, whenever possible, documentation of consent to release information, signed by the client (for adults) or parent/guardian (for minors), to allow the exchange of confidential patient information between CPS and MH/SA. b. A monthly meeting has been established, attended by staff from CPS and MH/SA, to exchange monthly updates on treatment status and progress for all cases open to both agencies (with signed consent of client). Client status and intervention plans are documented in the client's MH/SA record. C. MH/SA has developed a status update form, which is given to CPS whenever a barrier to successful treatment outcomes is identified (e.g., positive drug screen, failure to attend treatment, poor compliance with treatment, etc.) Recommendation 7: Install security devices (panic buttons, alarms, interface barriers between staff and the public) to alert the staff and law enforcement of possible danger and provide protection for the clerical staff. Response: The recommendation has been implemented. The interface barrier and panic buttons have been installed and are operational in the receptionist work area. The building alarms are now operational for the CPS/APS building and notify law enforcement of the need for immediate assistance. These devices are working well and provide added safety for the Blythe CPS clerical and social work staff. Wireless panic buttons are installed at the new CPS, Blythe Office. The new wireless system can accommodate up to eight activators. Currently one activator is available with two on order. The activators will be issued by the CPS supervisor for use during family meetings or parental conferences. When the panic button is pushed, supervisors and staff will be alerted of a problem. Once on scene, the supervisor or staff can notify the police if deemed necessary. Interface barriers are installed to protect clerical staff. Recommendation Number 8: The Department of Mental Health in Blythe, provide the court required Substance Abuse counseling and other needed Mental Health Services for family members prior to returning the child to their home. Response: The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future. DPSS will identify a source of funding for 1.0 FTE Clinical Therapist II a. position, assigned to the Blythe Mental Health clinic. This position will expand capacity to provide mental health services for adults and minors referred by Blythe/CPS. Timeline for funding the position is 10/1/04. Timeline to recruit and hire for the position is predicted to be prior to 12/15/04. b. Dept. of Mental Health will fund a 1.0 FTE Behavioral Health Specialist III, assigned to the Blythe Clinic, to expand capacity to provide substance abuse services, including adults and children referred by Blythe CPS. . .