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Extracted from Consolidated Report

This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.

Los Angeles County Grand Jury • 2018-2019

Allegations of Child Abuse: What's Happening at Dcfs?

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Findings and Recommendations 20 findings

F1 Page 12
The DCFS surveys from Lancaster and Palmdale gave extensive paperwork as a factor which made their job more difficult.
No recommendations for this finding
F2 Page 12
The lack of coordination between multiple county agencies to work across platforms inhibits data sharing of cases which prevents services from being delivered in a timely manner.
No recommendations for this finding
F3 Page 13
BOS, CEO and OCP are working together to ensure that children and families are given every opportunity to succeed at having a loving, healthy environment to thrive and be safe.
No recommendations for this finding
F4 Page 13
The CGJ found that DCFS staff are hampered by the lengthy distances travelled daily between home, work and the various client locations. This creates an added stressor to all staff.
No recommendations for this finding
F5 Page 13
The CGJ found that staff were required to travel out of state due to the ICPC regulations which ensures the safety and stability of placements of children across State lines.
No recommendations for this finding
F6 Page 13
The CGJ found that all levels of staff from CSW trainee to SCSW were understaffed. This adds to job uncertainty and the inability to complete case paperwork required by judicial statutes in a time laden system. 2018-2019 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT ALLEGATIONS OF CHILD ABUSE: WHAT IS HAPPENING AT DCFS? 1 -
No recommendations for this finding
F7 Page 13
The CGJ found that the Lancaster and Palmdale offices do not have enough staff with seniority to adequately support the new hires and maintain a competent working organization
No recommendations for this finding
F8 Page 13
The CGJ found the BOS, CEO and OCP are studying the implementation of extraordinary measures (initial assignment bonuses, transportation allowances, location based pay differentials, etc.) to hire and retain staff at the Antelope Valley offices.
No recommendations for this finding
F9 Page 13
The CGJ found staff at both area offices of the AV felt unsafe going to home sites and required visits alone.
No recommendations for this finding
F10 Page 13
The CGJ found that DCFS staff is stymied by the lack of community based resources within the Antelope Valley area for their caseloads.
No recommendations for this finding
F11 Page 13
The CGJ found that current DCFS staff members feel they need relevant job training and asked for laptops to enter data at the site of home visits to avoid case errors.
No recommendations for this finding
F12 Page 13
The CGJ found staff should receive a variety of mandatory training in and around the county.
No recommendations for this finding
F13 Page 13
The CGJ found that the coverage of the vast area of Antelope Valley made hardship demands on staff and their personal vehicles.
No recommendations for this finding
F14 Page 13
The CGJ found staff uses their personal vehicles for job tasks and requested Department issued gas cards to allow them to travel to required job sites.
No recommendations for this finding
F15 Page 13
The CGJ found that DCFS staff are paid $.06 per mile for all out-of-state gas expenses when using rental cars.
No recommendations for this finding
F16 Page 13
Employee job satisfaction is hindered by office prohibitions to transfer out of Antelope Valley.
No recommendations for this finding
F17 Page 13
The CGJ found that delays in Law Enforcement showing up at abuse scenes left CSWs lacking in knowledge and skills to preserve evidence at the scene.
No recommendations for this finding
F18 Page 13
The Committee found that the E-SCARS reporting between LASD and DCFS was not coordinated to prevent cross-over underreporting.
No recommendations for this finding
F19 Page 13
The CGJ found that area police and sheriff personnel were not available at times of critical need for Emergency Response to E-SCARS Child Abuse incidents.
No recommendations for this finding
F20 Page 13
The CGJ found that the Medical Hub at the High Desert office is in need of supervisory medical staff to ensure that Emergency Response (ER) and Dependency Investigation (DI) cases are seen locally instead of traveling to the Los Angeles Medical Hub at USC. 2018-2019 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT ALLEGATIONS OF CHILD ABUSE: WHAT IS HAPPENING AT DCFS? 1 -
No recommendations for this finding