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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.
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Note: Missing finding numbers detected: F211, F212, F213, F214, F215, F216, F217, F218, F219, F220, F221, F222, F223, F224, F225, F226, F227, F228, F229, F230, F231, F232, F233, F234, F235, F236, F237, F238, F239, F240, F241, F242, F243, F244, F245, F246, F247, F248, F249, F250, F251, F252, F253, F254, F255, F256, F257, F258, F259, F260, F261, F262, F263, F264, F265, F266, F267, F268, F269, F270, F271, F272, F273, F274, F275, F276, F277, F278, F279, F280, F281, F282, F283, F284, F285, F286, F287, F288, F289, F290, F291, F292, F293, F294, F295, F296, F297, F298, F299, F300
Findings 16 findings
F201
Page 37
There will always be those who prefer to remain homeless. Thus, chronic homelessness will never be eliminated.
F202
Page 37
While the official model of "housing first" is fundamentally sound and has helped reduce the number of those homeless, at the current rate of progress there will never be enough appropriate housing to eliminate the unsheltered homeless in Fresno.
F203
Page 37
The 10-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness provided the necessary focus and coordination to receive Federal funding to help address the region's homeless problems.
F204
Page 37
Servicing the homeless involves much more than simply providing shelter. In a majority of the cases serious mental health and substance abuse problems are factors leading to homelessness and impediments to implementing solutions.
F205
Page 37
The local agencies, under the FMCoC umbrella, appear to be doing a reasonable and conscientious job of addressing some of the needs of the homeless population, but these efforts are fragmented and not part of a holistic approach to solving the problem.
F206
Page 37
There does not appear to be a single agency, within or outside the public sector, that provides leadership and coordination of all efforts to serve the homeless in Fresno.
F207
Page 37
The efforts of many well-intentioned organizations are counter-productive in that by giving (often unused) food and clothing they are viewed as enabling homelessness rather than assisting with efforts to return the homeless to self-sufficiency.
F208
Page 37
The non-enforcement of ordinances regarding panhandling and shopping cart theft enable the homeless to remain independent and be a public nuisance.
F209
Page 37
There is an acute shortage of "come-as-you-are" emergency shelter(s) for men in Fresno County, which increases the numbers of those on the street and hampers their return to more productive lives.
F210
Page 37
The City of Fresno's police unit that deals with the homeless has been very effective in mitigating problems and preventing the reforming of encampments.
F301
Page 62
CPS is doing a satisfactory job with the resources available.
F302
Page 62
CPS uses a 24-hour hotline as a major part of its triage system. This system classifies cases as a two-hour or a 10-day response depending on the urgency of the case.
F303
Page 62
Community agencies interviewed cite a need for an available CPS liaison.
F304
Page 62
Mandated reporters in healthcare, as well as childcare advocates, cite a need for better communication and cooperation between themselves and social workers. FY 2013-2014 Fresno County Grand Jury Report #3 – An Investigation of Fresno 4/8/2014 County Child Protective Services
F305
Page 63
While Rushmore is not yet fully implemented, CPS increasingly relies on the use of this data base system to help provide effective triage of children entering the system.
F306
Page 63
While comments from vendors, mandated reporters, and quality assurance staff regarding CPS responsiveness, timeliness, professionalism, and follow-through were overall positive, they did cite a need for improved communication.
Recommendations 4
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R1Page 33The triage system (the protocols to determine how to respond to situations referred to the CPS Hotline).
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R2Page 33Relations with vendors (organizations contracted by the County to supplement services provided by CPS) and mandated reporters (people working closely with children as defined by Welfare and Institutions (W&I) Code.
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R3Page 33Quality assurance (internal review committee and Rushmore data system). BACKGROUND General As the population of Fresno County continues to increase (to over 947,000 residents), demand for CPS service is being impacted accordingly. CPS receives approximately 1,000 new referrals a month from mandated reporters and citizens. Each social worker has an average active caseload of 30 children with 5 of those being in foster care. Currently, there are approximately 1,750 children in foster care. Economic and budgetary constraints have resulted in ever-greater challenges. CPS is trying to do more with fewer resources through the use of technology. Case Processing CPS serves as a lead agency for assessing suspected cases of child abuse, making it a critically important Fresno County agency. California Welfare and Institutions Code, Section 300.00 through 300.5 (Attachment A), describe types of situations that may require juvenile court intervention for the protection of a minor. FY 2013-2014 Fresno County Grand Jury Report #3 – An Investigation of Fresno 4/8/2014 County Child Protective Services F . - 3 Mandated reporters, as defined by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), are "persons who may come into contact with children during their employment and are required by law to report reasonable suspicion of child abuse or neglect." Some examples of mandated reporters include teachers, coaches, counselors, nurses, doctors, dentists, school administrators and many more. California Penal Code, Section 11165.7, lists examples of mandated reporters (Attachment B). Mandated reporters must report their suspicions to city police departments, county sheriff offices, the county probation department, or the county social service agency's child protective services. CPS utilizes the "Child Protection Hotline" (a 7x24 phone line) so that mandated reporters and citizens can report suspected cases of child abuse. A team of highly skilled social workers staffs the Hotline (See Attachment C for typical volumes). They obtain specific information regarding a particular incident and generate a referral for investigation, if appropriate. A total of 7.5 social workers answer the hotline phone calls, assess and document the referrals. Two of the social workers are "office" social workers. They answer the hotline; however, they have other duties including assisting walk-ins. Such assistance can include handling a referral (i.e. a parent wanting to relinquish their child), getting them copies of case files, or directing them to appropriate programs. Social workers use Decision Trees (Attachment D) as a screening method to determine if the referral is appropriate for CPS intervention or if it should be referred to another agency for services. This evaluation tool helps the CPS team decide whether a two-hour or a ten-day response is appropriate. All initial determinations are reviewed by a supervisor. CPS uses a team approach in decision-making and they contend this approach has served them well. At various times in the process, a meeting is convened to decide how the matter is to proceed. The team is comprised of specialists from many disciplines as well as "cultural brokers" as needed. These brokers are representative of the very diverse cultures found in Fresno County, and can provide the needed sensitivity to cultural differences that are important in crafting appropriate solutions. CPS then documents and transmits all referrals of child endangerment to the appropriate agency. When CPS identifies an immediate threat of child endangerment, a law enforcement agency is contacted. If the threat or danger is confirmed, the law enforcement officer places the child in protective custody (W&I Code 300) and transfers the minor to CPS for proper placement. Only law enforcement can place a W&I 300 hold. Emergency foster care may be initiated while the case is assessed for appropriate handling. Every effort is made to place the child with a responsible extended family member, such as a grandparent, aunt, or uncle. Placing a child in foster care is a last resort. These types of cases are assigned a two-hour response time, whereas less serious cases are handled within a ten-day period. A ten-day response is made if the minor is not in immediate danger and a caretaker is available to provide for and protect the minor. (See attachment D for a description of cases that would be classified as a ten-day response case). FY 2013-2014 Fresno County Grand Jury Report #3 - An Investigation of Fresno 4/8/2014 County Child Protective Services Each case is reviewed by a team of social workers to determine if a petition should be filed in juvenile court or handled as a voluntary family maintenance case. If the child is on "protective hold" per W&I Code 300 and needs placement in foster care, a physical examination is scheduled within thirty days of placement. Should the child need immediate medical care, CPS ensures the child is taken to the hospital for a pre-placement physical examination and any needed medical care. Fresno County is fortunate to have a multitude of community agencies to assist a diverse group of families under a variety of stresses that place families and children at risk. The Grand Jury interviewed five community agencies: CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), Comprehensive Youth Services, Children's Hospital of Central California, The Marjaree Mason Center, and Community Regional Medical Center. PURPOSE OF THE INVESTIGATION To determine if CPS is utilizing all of its resources effectively.
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R4Page 36To fulfill the mandate that the grand jury investigate at least one Fresno County agency in the course of the year.