ERA Administrative Office County Administrative Officer*

Because of a lack of understanding of procedures for procuring the properly prepared releases, it is sometimes difficult for DSS to obtain needed client information from BHS. Response Respondent agrees with the finding per California Penal Code 933.05 (a) (1).

When the Healthy Beginnings Program is no longer funded, children under five will be adversely affected. Response Respondent disagrees with finding per California Penal Code 933.05 (a) (2). Under separate cover, the Director of Behavioral Health Services has responded to this finding and stated: Behavioral Health Services will back fill the funding cuts that would have been received: from First Five, therefore there will be no changes to the services these children are receiving from BHS. " The response of the Director of Behavioral Health Services to the above Finding is considered appropriate and is submitted as the Board of Supervisors' response.

There is a lack of understanding among BHS clinicians regarding the upcoming changes in the Healthy Beginnings Program. Response Respondent disagrees partially with finding per California Penal Code 933.05 (a) (2). Under separate cover, the Director of Behavioral Health Services has responded to this finding and stated: Behavioral Health Services will back fill the funding cuts that would have been received: from First Five, therefore there will be no changes to the services these children are receiving from BHS. The clinicians interviewed may not understand the funding changes." The response of the Director of Behavioral Health Services to the above Finding is considered appropriate and is submitted as the Board of Supervisors' response.

Because the Presumptive Transfer Program is new and BHS and DSS don't always agree on placement/treatment, children are adversely affected. Response Respondent disagrees partially with finding per California Penal Code 933.05 (a) (2). Under separate cover, the Director of Behavioral Health Services has responded to this finding and stated: “While DSS and BHS don’t always agree on placement and treatment as each agency has different responsibilities, the team always has the child's best interest in mind. Therefore, the team work through their differences and come to a mutually agreed upon approach." The response of the Director of Behavioral Health Services to the above Finding is considered appropriate and is submitted as the Board of Supervisors' response.

Because there is no provision for DSS social workers to obtain licensure within the agency, professional advancement is inhibited. Response Respondent disagrees partially with finding per California Penal Code 933.05 (a) (2). Under separate cover, the Director of Social Services has responded to this finding and stated: "DSS administers state and federal programs which do not require staff to hold a license, therefore there is no professional advancement within DSS that is being inhibited." The response of the Director of Social Services to the above Finding is considered appropriate and is submitted as the Board of Supervisors' response.

Because social workers don't always attend TDM's, services to children are compromised. Response Respondent disagrees partially with finding per California Penal Code 933.05 (a) (2). Under separate cover, the Director of Social Services has responded to this finding and stated: "While it is true that the ongoing social worker does not attend the initial TDM at removal, there are assigned Social Workers who coordinate services. Furthermore, there is a warm hand off from the ER Social Worker to the Ongoing Social Worker." The response of the Director of Social Services to the above Finding is considered appropriate and is submitted as the Board of Supervisors' response.

Services to children continue to be negatively impacted by the high turnover rate of social workers between 2014-2016. Response Respondent disagrees partially with finding per California Penal Code 933.05 (a) (2). Under separate cover, the Director of Social Services has responded to this finding and stated: "While it is true that the considerable turnover of 2014-16 has led to a current workforce with little tenure and experience, staff turnover is not unique to DSS and the department is making considerable recruitment and retention efforts mitigate its impact." The response of the Director of Social Services to the above Finding is considered appropriate and is submitted as the Board of Supervisors' response.

The 100+ "stale referrals" still open at DSS represent children who have "fallen through the cracks" and not received necessary services. Response Respondent disagrees partially with finding per California Penal Code 933.05 (a) (2). Under separate cover, the Director of Social Services has responded to this finding and stated: “While it is correct that we have investigation referrals that have been pending over 60- days which are sometimes termed "stale", these referrals have not fallen through the cracks and been forgotten. We have made considerable progress in eliminating overdue referrals since 2017, from a high of over 1,000 to a current number of less than 110." The response of the Director of Social Services to the above Finding is considered appropriate and is submitted as the Board of Supervisors' response.

Because Madera County does not require Social Workers and Program Managers to have a master's degree in Social Work or previous social work experience, effectiveness in their positions can be compromised. Response Respondent disagrees partially with finding per California Penal Code 933.05 (a) (2). Under separate cover, the Director of Social Services has responded to this finding and stated: "Pursuant to California Government Code Section 19800 – 19810, the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) is charged with the responsibility of ensuring that counties that receive federal funds for programs within their Social Services and Child Support Services departments adhere to the federal merit principles. CalHR has contracted with CPS HR Consulting (CPS HR) to provide Recruitment and Selection and Classification services that meet the federal mandates by following the Local Agency Personnel Standards (LAPS). Minimum job qualifications are set by CPS HR. DSS makes every effort to select educated and experienced individuals and even more importantly the department strives to prepare these individuals for their critical responsibilities through training, mentoring and support leading to valuable work force regardless of their background. New social workers have a statewide standardized training curriculum through Regional Training Academies contracted by the California Department of Social Services. Furthermore, new Social Work Supervisors are required to participate and complete Supervisor Core training. Of our forty-six (46) permanent Child Welfare Social Workers 41.3% have a master's in social work, 28.2% have a master's in another field, 26% have a bachelor's in social work while 71.7% have a bachelors in another related field of study." The response of the Director of Social Services to the above Finding is considered appropriate and is submitted as the Board of Supervisors' response.

Because BHS and DSS have different operational objectives and methods, there can be negative results for children. Response Respondent disagrees partially with finding per California Penal Code 933.05 (a) (2). Under separate cover, the Director of Social Services has responded to this finding and stated: “While DSS and BHS do have different operational objectives and methods the team always has the child's best interest in mind. Therefore, the team work through their differences and come to a mutually agreed upon approach." The response of the Director of Social Services to the above Finding is considered appropriate and is submitted as the Board of Supervisors' response.

DSS has too many administrators/supervisors for the number of social workers. Response Respondent disagrees partially with finding per California Penal Code 933.05 (a) (2). Under separate cover, the Director of Social Services has responded to this finding and stated "Less than a quarter (25%) of our child welfare social workers have even 2 years of experience with the department. Such an inexperienced workforce requires additional training, support and mentorship as they perform their work in a 24-hour operation addressing the needs of children of our community." The response of the Director of Social Services to the above Finding is considered appropriate and is submitted as the Board of Supervisors' response.