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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.

Score: +1 (1/0/0)

Orange County Grand Jury • 2011-2012

Compensation Cost Transparency Table 1 – 2012 Compensation Cost Transparency Assessment Ratings Chart City/District/

Published: August 16, 2012 24 pages

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⚠️ 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.

Findings 5 findings

F1 Page 129

Elder abuse reporting has been rising and will probably increase because of a projected expansion in the population partially due to an influx of baby boomers.

F2 Page 129

Increased oversight would improve coordination and communication among county agencies and departments.

F3 Page 129

Reviewing procedures in law enforcement agencies, law enforcement academies under Orange County government jurisdiction and the District Attorney’s office could improve recognition of elder abuse

F4 Page 129

The computer system in the Public Guardian’s Office has been “inadequate for its intended use”17 for many years impacting the ability of the Public Guardian to provide documentation in areas of elder abuse.

F5 Page 129

A more definitive study is necessary to address four specific concerns within the area of elder abuse: A. Oversight over coordination and communication between agencies; B. Outreach and communication to the general public; C. Review of law enforcement and prosecution; D. Effective Information Technology to manage data flow.

Recommendations 7

R1
Page 130

By October 1, 2012, the Board of Supervisors should establish a one-year independent, volunteer commission, consisting of private citizens (including members of various oversight committees), to conduct a comprehensive study of the effectiveness of elder abuse resources in Orange County focusing on the following: A. The prevalence of elder abuse and the probable increase in the future; B. The efficacy of individual county agencies and departments; C. Interactions with Orange County agencies/departments and non-profit organizations that provide senior resources; D. The availability of outreach and communication to citizens concerning elder abuse; E. The procedures of law enforcement agencies to investigate reports of abuse; and F. The procedures used by the District Attorney’s office to determine prosecution.
R2
Page 130

By October 1, 2012, the Board of Supervisors should direct the Office of the Performance Audit Director to evaluate Adult Protective Services, The Office on Aging, Adult Mental Health Services and The Public Guardian. The evaluation would determine their individual effectiveness; assess their coordination and communication; and discover any overlap in services among them.
R3
Page 130

By October 1, 2012, the County Executive Officer should direct the Information Technology Department to evaluate the computer system of The Public Administrator/Public Guardian to insure that this agency has a full capacity to report, coordinate and monitor elder abuse.
R4
Page 130

By December 31, 2012, the County Executive Officer should review agencies and departments within his purview to determine if they provide an effective response to elder abuse without any duplication of responsibilities.
R5
Page 130

By December 31, 2012, the Sheriff’s Department and city police departments should evaluate and update their programs on responding to elder abuse cases.
R6
Page 130

By December 31, 2012, the District Attorney should direct staff to review all procedures for prosecution of elder abuse cases.
R7
Page 130

By December 31, 2012, the District Attorney should direct staff to review current information available throughout the country concerning elder abuse in order to design an updated program for prosecution. REQUIREMENTS AND INSTRUCTIONS: In accordance with California Penal Code Sections §933 and §933.05, the 2011-2012 Orange County Grand Jury requires responses from each agency affected by the Findings/Conclusions and Recommendations presented in this section. The responses are to be submitted to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court. Elder Abuse in Orange County 2011-2012 Orange County Grand Jury “Not later than 90 days after the grand jury submits a final report on the operations of any public agency subject to its reviewing authority, the governing body of the public agency shall comment to the presiding judge of the superior court on the findings and recommendations pertaining to matters under the control of the governing body, and every elected county officer or agency head for which the grand jury has responsibility pursuant to Section §914.1 shall comment to the presiding judge of the superior court, with an information copy sent to the board of supervisors, on the findings and recommendations pertaining to matters under the control of that county officer or agency head and any agency or agencies which that officer or agency head supervises or controls. In any city and county, the mayor shall also comment on the findings and recommendations. (a.) As to each Grand Jury finding, the responding person or entity shall indicate one of the following: (1) The respondent agrees with the finding (2) The respondent disagrees wholly or partially with the finding, in which case the response shall specify the portion of the finding that is disputed and shall include an explanation of the reasons therefore. (b.) As to each Grand Jury recommendation, the responding person or entity shall report one of the following actions: (1) The recommendation has been implemented, with a summary regarding the implemented action. (2) The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future, with a time frame for implementation. (3) The recommendation requires further analysis, with an explanation and the scope and parameters of an analysis or study, and a time frame for the matter to be prepared for discussion by the officer or head of the agency or department being investigated or reviewed, including the governing body of the public agency when applicable. This time frame shall not exceed six months from the date of publication of the Grand Jury report. (4) The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted or is not warranted or is not reasonable, with an explanation therefore. (c.) If a finding or recommendation of the Grand Jury addresses budgetary or personnel matters of a county agency or department headed by an elected officer, both the agency or department head and the Board of Supervisors shall respond if requested by the Grand Jury, but the response of the Board of Supervisors shall address only those budgetary / Elder Abuse in Orange County 2011-2012 Orange County Grand Jury

Agency Responses 2

Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.

CITY OF BREA

September 26, 2012 • 1 pages View Details ▾

PDF

CITY OF GARDEN GROVE

August 28, 2012 • 7 pages • 1 response • Score: +1 (+1, 0, 0) View Details ▾

PDF

1 response to findings and recommendations

Law enforcement collaboration with County PERT clinicians and Be Well mobile response units has been an effective tool when responding to mental health calls for service. Response: The City of Garden Grove agrees with the above finding. The recommendation has been implemented. Furthermore, the City of Garden Grove has been a pioneer in mental health services and was the first City in Orange County to have both Be Well crisis counselors and PERT clinicians simultaneously.

Response: Agree Score: +1

Reviewing procedures in law enforcement agencies, law enforcement academies under Orange County government jurisdiction and the District Attorney's office could improve recognition of elder abuse. RESPONSE The City agrees with this finding. There is always room for improvement when investigating any type of abuse, including elder abuse. Since 2005, the Garden Grove Police Department has provided specific training to ensure incidents of elder abuse are identified and handled appropriately. On March 11th, 2005, the Garden Grove Police Department issued Departmental Training Bulletin #2005-06 tit...