San Joaquin County Grand Jury Fractured Oversight Fails to Serve At-Risk Youth 2012-2013 Case No. 0412

Conclusions 1

• CL1
  The Grand Jury determined that the level of care provided by Group Homes Providers charged with providing care to the community’s At-Risk Youth throughout San Joaquin County range from very dedicated to the youth’s welfare and often exceeds their statutory obligations. Other Group Homes reviewed demonstrated through their day to day practices and lack of compliance with required regulations, appeared to be in the business only to make money. In view of the State’s deteriorating oversight of Group Homes during the last three years, it is incumbent upon San Joaquin County, through its Human Services Agency and Probation Department, to strengthen their current oversight of At-Risk Youth care. While much of the responsibility for regulation and oversight of Group Homes lies within State agencies, over which this Grand Jury has no authority, certain San Joaquin County agencies can takes steps to improve the evaluation of care for its youth’s environments. Whether alone, in cooperation with other counties having the same concerns, or taking the problem before State leaders, the County must institute corrective action as soon as possible. We cannot turn our backs on the most vulnerable youth of our community. As a society, we have an obligation to make sure that they are provided a safe, healthy, healing living environment. Disclaimer Grand Jury reports are based on documentary evidence and the testimony of sworn or admonished witnesses, not on conjecture or opinion. However, the Grand Jury is precluded by law from disclosing such evidence except upon specific approval of the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court, or another judge appointed by the Presiding Judge (Penal Code Sections 911, 924.1 (a) and 929). Similarly, the Grand Jury is precluded by law from disclosing the identity of witnesses except upon an order of the court for narrowly defined purposes (Penal Code Sections 924.2 and 929). This report was issued by the Grand Jury with the exception of one member of the jury. This juror was excluded for all parts of the investigation, including interviews, deliberations, and the preparation and acceptance of the report. Response Requirements California Penal Code sections 933 and 933.05 require that specific responses to all findings and recommendations contained in this report be submitted to the Presiding Judge of San Joaquin County Superior Court by (within 90 days). San Joaquin County Human Services Agency, Child Protective Services All Findings and Recommendations San Joaquin County Probation Department All Findings and Recommendations Mail a hard copy of the response to: Hon. David P. Warner, Presiding Judge San Joaquin County Superior Court P.O. Box 201022 Stockton, CA 95201 Also, please email the response to Trisa Martinez, Staff Secretary to the Grand Jury, at: grandjury@sjcourts.org Appendix A Group Home Administrators Education, Experience and Training Requirements: ADMINSTRATORS are the individuals designated by Group Home Providers’ Board of Directors to act on behalf of the Provider in the overall management of their facilities, and who must meet one of the following requirements in accordance with CCR’s Section 84064. (A) A master's degree in a behavioral science from an accredited college or university, plus a minimum of one year of employment as a social worker, as defined in CCR’s Section 80001s.(4), in an agency serving children or in a group residential program for children; or (B) A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, plus at least one year of administrative experience or supervisory experience over social work, child care, and/or support staff providing direct services to children in an agency or in a community care facility with a licensed capacity of seven or more; or (C) Completed at least two years at an accredited college or university, plus at least two years administrative experience or supervisory experience over social work, child care, and/or support staff providing direct services to children in an agency or in a community care facility with a licensed capacity of seven or more youth; or (D) Completed high school, or equivalent, plus at least three years administrative experience or supervisory experience over social work, child care, and/or support staff providing direct services to children in an agency or in a community care facility with a licensed capacity of seven or more youth. In order to retain an Administrators Certificate, an individual must complete 40 Hours of Continuing Education every two years, of which 20 hours may be taken through online courses from an approved vendor.