Kern County Grand Jury • 2013-2014

Health, Education and Social Services Committee Mission Statement It is the mission of the Health, Education and Social

Published: November 07, 2013 42 pages
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Note: Missing finding numbers detected: F11, F12, F13, F14, F15, F16, F17, F18, F19, F20, F21, F22, F23

Findings and Recommendations 11 findings

F1
The outdoor Center sign is unattractive and does not look professional.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The outdoor sign should be refurbished. (Finding 1)
F2
The 10 minute introductory video that gives a virtual tour of the facility may be outdated. It is designed to explain to the children that they are not alone.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
The 10-minute introductory video should be updated. (Findings 2)
F3
The décor in the recreation rooms and the children’s bedrooms is not inviting.
Related Recommendations (2)
R3
The wood furniture in the recreation rooms needs regular maintenance. (Finding 3)
R4
Children’s rooms are plain and cheerless. (Finding 3)
F4
The cafeteria serves 1,000 meals each month. Children receive three meals and two snacks each day. The Health Department has rated the kitchen A for the current year.
No recommendations for this finding
F5
The building has closed circuit cameras but only one monitor. The monitor is not under constant surveillance nor are the activities recorded. COMMENTS: The Center provides food, shelter and safety for children at risk. A previous Grand Jury Report recommended that injections be given only by the RN. Staff has been trained to give oral medications and log the medications in the charts. Medications are kept in a locked cabinet inside a locked room. The room is furnished with a locked Dutch door so that the person inside can see out the top half while the children outside cannot enter through the bottom half. The Center is now in compliance with the previous Grand Jury
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
As funding becomes available surveillance equipment should be utilized to record activities. The County Counsel considers it “best practice” for each client to have a photograph on file. (Finding 5) NOTES: The Center should post a copy of this report where it will be available for public review. Persons wishing to receive an email notification of newly released reports may sign up at: www.co.kern.ca.us/grandjury, click on: Sign up for early releases. Present and past Kern County Grand Jury Final Reports and Responses can be accessed through the Kern County Library system and the Kern County Grand Jury website: www.co.kern.ca.us/grandjury. RESPONSE REQUIRED WITHIN 90 DAYS TO: (for a Public Agency) PRESIDING JUDGE KERN COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT 1415 TRUXTUN AVENUE, 2ND FLOOR BAKERSFIELD, CA 93301 cc: TRUXTUN AVENUE, SUITE 600 BAKERSFIELD, CA 93301 05/27/2014 JESS DIAMOND CHILD ASSESSMENT CENTER PURPOSE OF INQUIRY: The California Penal Codes §§925 and 933 authorize the Grand Jury to investigate and report on the various departments throughout Kern County. The Health, Education and Social Services Committee (Committee) made a visit to inquire into the management and operation of the Jess Diamond Child Assessment Center (Center) located at 1010 Shalimar Drive, Bakersfield, CA 93306. PROCESS: After preparation conducted by online research, the Committee visited the Center on September 26, 2013, where a tour was conducted by the Program Director and a Social Worker. BACKGROUND/FACTS: A. “The concept of the Center is the vision of local community leaders, particularly Dr. Jess Diamond, who, several years ago, expressed their commitment to providing more efficient and effective services to the children in Kern County.” In September 1993 the Kern County Board of Supervisors approved the concept of a centralized, child friendly interviewing site for child victims of sexual abuse. The Department of Human Services was authorized to assume the lead in developing a multi-disciplinary team and protocol for the program. B. The Mission Statement of the Jess Diamond Child Assessment Center is: “To provide child abuse victims a safe environment where their needs for protection, emotional support, and/or medical attention can be met through coordinated abuse investigation and integrated social, mental health, and health services.” C. The Revised Jess Diamond Multi-Disciplinary Team Protocol Agreement says: “The Child Assessment Center is a partnership of the City of Bakersfield Police Department, the Kern County Department of Human Services and Mental Health, Kern County Probation Department Victim Witness Assistance Program, Kern Medical Center, the Office of the District Attorney, the Sheriff’s Department, the A. Miriam Jamison Children’s Center Foundation and the community of Kern County.” D. The goals of the Center are: 1. “As a multi-disciplinary child assessment team, to treat children with dignity and respect while minimizing their trauma from child abuse by limiting interviews and conducting investigations in a coordinated manner. This is achieved by: • Providing a centralized and coordinated forensic interviewing site for social service, law enforcement and/or medical personnel involved in the investigation of child abuse. • Coordinating contacts for personnel in social services, law enforcement and other investigative agencies. • Providing a non-threatening and child-friendly site for forensic medical examinations of sexual and/or physical abuse and neglect victims. • Providing crisis intervention for child victims and their families in addition to mental health and medical services. 2. Services are integrated by coordinating child abuse investigation and prevention efforts of multi-disciplinary agencies with public and private support. 3. Establish a mechanism and system to collect, store and retrieve data for evaluation and policy development and improve service delivery to child abuse victims.” E. Kern County Department of Human Services (KCDHS) provides funds for structure and equipment. F. The Kern County District Attorney provides funding for all medical exams. G. A pediatrician works the first week of each month. The doctor also works Monday and Tuesday of each subsequent week of the month in addition to maintaining a private practice. H. Kern Medical Center (KMC) pays for one Registered Nurse (RN). The RN conducts exams of female patients when the doctor is unavailable or the patient does not wish to be examined by a male. The RN is taking additional training in forensic interviews.
F6
Each child chooses a new stuffed toy to keep. The presence of the toy may help put the child at ease. The toys are donated by the community at large and collected at the Condors Hockey Team Annual Teddy Bear Toss.
No recommendations for this finding
F7
The lobby of the Center is peaceful and well maintained. Nothing visible in the room showed what to expect or the responsibility of each person in the Center. Two clerical staff members greet visitors with friendliness and a helpful attitude. Toys, games and television keep the children entertained while waiting to be interviewed. COMMENTS: The Jess Diamond Child Assessment Center is a warm and comforting place for traumatized children, families and friends and is a quiet oasis in the midst of chaos.
No recommendations for this finding
F8
The Affordable Care Act will bring changes to the number of patients being served. KCMH has prepared for this by concentrating on early intervention when illnesses are more tractable and treatment is less costly. The cost of maintaining one California State Hospital bed for psychiatric patients is in excess of $240,000 per year. The cost may exceed $330,000 in the near future. COMMENTS: The Committee thanks the Director of Mental Health, the Administrator of Crisis Services and Staff for the gracious cooperation during visits. The Committee also expresses thanks for patience with endless phone calls and questions. The Committee commends the Director of Mental Health and Staff for a well- functioning department that manages with far too little resources. The positive attitude of all employees reflects a deep commitment to care for people in need. The Consumer Family Learning Center is to be commended for enthusiasm and willingness to be innovative. Staff and volunteers show incredible dedication to the consumers.
No recommendations for this finding
F9
The Station’s current focus is opening opportunities for students interested in agricultural careers.
No recommendations for this finding
F10
The Station operates on a budget of $365,000 annually. The Kern County Board of Supervisors allotted $200,000 for improvements to infrastructure. Lease income from tenants is used to offset operating costs. COMMENTS: HESS wishes to thank the General Manager for his enthusiasm, knowledge and kindness. All questions were answered graciously and without delay. During the guided tour, staff and tenants were open to all questions, eagerly discussed projects and made the Committee feel welcome.
No recommendations for this finding
F24
F6. The Kern County Suicide Hotline receives in excess of 2,200 calls per month. The hotline is staffed by recovery specialists, substance abuse counselors and volunteers. Each has received at least 40 hours of specialized training. Twelve paid staff members answer the hotline along with other duties. Twenty-seven volunteers also answer the hotline. Patients without means are never turned away. F7. The Consumer Family Learning Center (CFLC) is open for adults ages 18 and older recovering from mental illness, substance abuse or both. • There is a staff of eight full-time employees and over 30 active volunteers. The Board of Directors includes consumers who are members for a one- year term. • The CFLC offers GED classes, socialization activities, cooking classes, art classes, quilting, computer lessons and other pre-employment skills. • Many of the groups are led by peers or volunteers. • There are two satellite support centers, one in Ridgecrest and one in Tehachapi. • Lack of community recognition indicates limited publicity/public relations. F8. The Affordable Care Act will bring changes to the number of patients being served. KCMH has prepared for this by concentrating on early intervention when illnesses are more tractable and treatment is less costly. The cost of maintaining one California State Hospital bed for psychiatric patients is in excess of $240,000 per year. The cost may exceed $330,000 in the near future. COMMENTS: The Committee thanks the Director of Mental Health, the Administrator of Crisis Services and Staff for the gracious cooperation during visits. The Committee also expresses thanks for patience with endless phone calls and questions. The Committee commends the Director of Mental Health and Staff for a well- functioning department that manages with far too little resources. The positive attitude of all employees reflects a deep commitment to care for people in need. The Consumer Family Learning Center is to be commended for enthusiasm and willingness to be innovative. Staff and volunteers show incredible dedication to the consumers.
No recommendations for this finding

Comments 14