Gjr2006-2007 Responses

R1

Administrative Services IT Division should continue to evaluate current operations and develop additional ways to improve the usefulness of its GIS technology. Response to Recommendation 1: The respondent agrees with this recommendation. The IT Division is continuing to seek new ways to improve the usefulness of GIS. Work is underway to produce a series of First Responders Maps and on-line tools to assist in emergency situations. Yuba County Office of Emergency Services (OES) and the FireSafe Council are working on this project.

R2

The Yuba County Office of the Clerk/Recorder should develop a checklist to assist the poll workers with the correct steps for opening and closing the polls. Recommendation to Finding 2: At each poll location, two specific members of the precinct board, in addition to the precinct inspector, will have additional, specialized training on the opening/closing procedures associated with the electronic voting equipment. In addition to the instructions provided in the poll worker manual, a laminated step-by-step sheet will be provided in each precinct supply box to reinforce the opening/closing training procedures. SUPERVISORS Dan Logue - District 1 « John Nicoletti - District 2 * Mary Jane Griego - District 3 *» Don Schrader - District 4 » Hal Stocker - District 5 Commendation: The County Clerk/Registrar of Voters would like to thank the Grand Jury members for their commendation to election staff. The success of Yuba County elections is a direct result of the integrity, commitment and interest reflected by staff on a daily basis. YUBA COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES — INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DIVISION EARLY WARNING SYSTEM GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM/WIDE AREA RAPID NOTIFICATION (GIS/WARN) SYSTEM

R3

A video monitoring system should be installed in all indoor and outdoor recreation areas. Response to Recommendation 3: Recommendation has not been implemented, but efforts to secure funding for facility upgrades have been initiated. While the facility does not have a video monitoring system in place in the outside recreation areas, staff is always present and directly supervises minors during recreation periods. Recreation which occurs within the Boy’s and Girl’s day rooms is monitored by video equipment at the Central Control Room. Staff anticipates that with facility upgrades, enhanced video and audio systems capable of recording will be requested.

R4

The Department of Health and Human Services, Adult Services Division provide a process and timeline for completing and adopting the handbook. Response to Recommendation 4: The recommendation has been implemented. Since meeting with the Grand Jury earlier this year, the Adult Services Division has finalized most of the policies and procedures related to operating the various program components within its scope of responsibility. In addition to being available in hardcopy, the policies and procedures are posted on the department’s Intranet site and are easily accessible and usable by employees.

R5

Yuba County should take the lead and draft a letter of agreement with Sutter County concerning responsibilities of the 24-hour response system and incorporate it in their policy and procedure manual. Response to Recommendation 5: The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted. Contrary to the Grand Jury’s findings, Yuba County and Sutter County do not have a bi-county “response system”. Each county individually, in accordance with State statute and regulations, maintains a 24-hour system to respond to allegations of abuse and/or neglect of dependent adults and seniors. For many years, the Adult Services Division has had written policies and procedures related to the provision of 24-hour response services. Commendation: The respondent wishes to thank the Grand Jury for the opportunity to respond to the Grand Jury’s findings and recommendations and appreciates the interest taken by the Grand Jury members in Yuba County’s Adult Services programs. Additionally, the respondent agrees with the commendation in regards to the Board of Supervisors, for approving the construction of a new Health and Human Services building. PROBATION DEPARTMENT: YUBA-SUTTER JUVENILE HALL MAXINE-SINGER YOUTH GUIDANCE CENTER

R6

The Yuba County Office of Education should assure adequate provision of teacher’s aides to help with instruction. Response to Recommendation 6: Recommendation will not be implemented as it is not warranted. In most facilities throughout the state, custody staff does not supervise minors in the classrooms. It has been the department’s practice to have staff in contact with the minors throughout their shift. Staff members assigned to classroom duty are encouraged to remain actively involved with the youth. Some teachers prefer not to have staff assist, some welcome the assistance. Staff assisting minors is not a reflection of inadequate staffing by the County Office of Education; it is a reflection of our staffs commitment to assist youth in any manner possible. All of the department’s custody staff have college degrees and are often able to offer insight and assistance to a particular minor. The teaching staff is sufficient to meet the needs of the minors, with or without the assistance offered by custody staff.

R7

This area should be expanded or relocated in order to maximize its full vocational and education benefits. Response to Recommendation 7: Recommendation has not yet been implemented; dialogue will be initiated with Superintendent of School to explore possible expansion. The workshop located at the SW corner of the camp gymnasium/classrooms is a small project which is an adjunct to the construction technology program offered by the County Office of Education. Camp minors participate in two hours of construction class per day during the regular academic year. There is no plan to expand this shop at this time. Some potential for expansion of industrial arts programming does exist and will be explored in the future.

R8

Consider having the arena carpet cleaned professionally and inspected for damage annually. Clean the glass backboards and reattach protective pads. Response to Recommendation 8: Recommendation has been implemented. The carpet referred to is indoor/outdoor carpet which was loaned to the program by Friday Night Live. The carpeting is used in the indoor soccer arena and is held to the floor with velcro. The carpet was removed this year during basketball season and a basketball court was painted on the floor. The basketball standards which were damaged have been either removed or replaced with portable backboards. Some consideration has been given to a significant upgrade to the gymnasium facility. At some point Friday Night Live will want to have their arena structure returned to them. The department plans to address the gymnasium upgrade at that time.

R9

Assign duties within the facility that would keep these minors productively occupied and out of their cells during school periods. Response to Recommendation 9: Recommendation will not be implemented because it is not reasonable. This issue would pertain to the Juvenile Hall only, as minors in the Camp are never locked down. Minors always have the option to attend or not attend school. The vast majority of minors attend regularly. It is the rare exception that a minor would be in the Juvenile Hall and a high school graduate. Such a minor would always be afforded the opportunity to attend school regardless of his status. Any minor out of their cell requires direct supervision by staff which is impractical.

R10

All volunteers and contract personnel having contact with minors of Yuba-Sutter Juvenile Hall and Maxine Singer Youth Guidance Center must have a criminal background check completed before counseling minors. (Cal. Code of Regs., Title 15, sec. 1320c). Response to Recommendation 10: The recommendation has been implemented as existing policy and practice. The Juvenile Hall and Camp programs do not utilize volunteers to individually counsel with minors. The department has no specific volunteer program beyond occasional educational internships for which the department requires a background check. The only community volunteers who come into contact with minors are individuals who provide church services and AA/NA programs. These individuals are supervised by custody staff at all times. AIl custody staff, either full time or extra help, undergoes a thorough peace officer background evaluation prior to being allowed direct unsupervised contact with minors. YUBA COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT JAIL DIVISION Commendation: Though the 2006/07 Yuba County Grand Jury Final Report does not require a formal response to any matters concerning the Sheriff's Department, the Sheriff/Coroner wishes to extend his sincere appreciation to the jury for their service to Yuba County. During the inspection of the Yuba County Jail, staff found the jurors to be thorough and professional in fulfilling their duties. The staff at the Sheriff's Department is committed to establishing and maintaining a safe community. The department works hard each day to ensure staff provides the safe, efficient, humane and secure custody of all persons incarcerated in the jail facility. The Board of Supervisors would like to express their gratitude to the members of the 2006/07 Grand Jury, for their dedication and commitment to improving government in Yuba County. Sincerely, Hal tel feck Board of Supervisors The County of Yuba COUNTY CLERK RECORDER Ms. Terry A. Hansen 915 8* STREET, SUITE 107 - MARYSVILLE, CA 95901-5273 (530) 749-7851 February 23. 2007 The Honorable Debra Givens Yuba County Supertor Court F i i ED 215 Fifth Street YUBA COUNTY a Marysville. California 95901 H. STEPHEN KONISHI Gurren COURT ail) bet. Re: 2006/07 Grand Jury Response iil oni Dear Judge Givens: ] would like to personally thank the members of the 2006-07 Grand Jury for their interest. professionalism. and thorough review of Yuba Countw’s Direct Record Electronic Voting System during the November 2006 election. Pursuant to Penal Code section 933.05 and with regard to Findings and Recommendations, | submit the following: