County of Los Angeles Civil Grand Jury 222South HillStreet•Sixth Floor•Suite670•LosAngeles,California 90012

Recommendations 1

• R1

  Page 18
  1. RECOMMENDATION NO. 1.2b DCFS and Probation should ensure that the youth obtain a driver's license or California ID card, a birth certificate, social security card, medical card, and any other pertinent documents. DCFS and Probation should assist the youth to obtain public and privately funded services. DPSS should provide Information to the TAY for general relief, CalWORKS, CalFresh, and MedlCal. DPH should provide Information to access medical services. DCFS and Probation should provide additional TAY services such as employment, housing, healthcare, and (for male TAYs age 18) registration with the Selective Service System. DCFS should provide training so the youth can open a bank account and apply for admission to colleges. RESPONSE The Department partially disagrees with the recommendation In that DCFS and Probation already ensure youth obtain a driver's license or California ID card, are provided with their birth certificates, a social security card, medical care and other pertinent documents. The timeframe for full Implementation Is estimated for 2024 and contingent upon further discussion with the Social Security Administration In addressing a streamlined and consistent protocol for DCFS to request social security cards for youth, and other County departments to connect and access services and resources. DCFS and Probation already ensure that youth obtain any funds available, are referred to DPSS for assistance, and referred for employment preparedness classes, housing, life skills classes, financial literacy classes which Includes Information on opening a bank account and assists transition age youth with completing applications for college. The Department will continue to work with other county departments such as DPSS and DPH and continue conversations with the Social Security Administration to promote and facilitate transition age youth accessing relevant documents. RECOMMENDATION NO. 1.3 DCFS and Probation should provide training to foster parents or guardians of TAYs to educate them to the procedures, assistance and processes to effectively assist TAYs under their care during the transition period. RESPONSE The Department partially agrees with the recommendation. This recommendation is expected to be implemented by January 2024. DCFS has reviewed the courses available to Resource Parents on both the Foster Parent College (FPC) and Foster Kinship Care Education (FKCE) website and found numerous courses related to working with youth who are in their transitional period. While there are numerous trainings available and course availability changes throughout the year, there is an opportunity to explore with FPC and FKCE to see if their course listings can be presented in a way that consolidates the courses under a TAY heading to make it easier for Resource Parents caring for TAY and/or are interested in the topic to easily find. DCFS anticipates having the discussion by November 2023 and implementation in 2024 to be contingent upon the agreement by FPC and FKCE. RECOMMENDATION NO. 1.3a DCFS or Probation should require foster parents to receive training and guidance as mandated by the MDT plans. Foster parents and court appointed educational advocates must participate in educational plans with school administration and/or community organizations. RESPONSE The Department agrees with the recommendation. This recommendation requires further analysis. The analysis and discussion should be completed by January 2024. The recommendation requires further analysis and discussion with the California Department of Social Services as there is no mandate that foster parents receive specific trainings and guidance that have been determined by a MDT plan, nor that they are mandated to participate in educational plan meetings. RECOMMENDATION NO. 1.3b DCFS or Probation should provide foster parents with pertinent case history upon placement. RESPONSE The Department agrees with the recommendation. The recommendation has been implemented as this is already mandated by DCFS policy and part of practice. RECOMMENDATION NO. 1.5 Each department should contribute to an Individual Transition Plan. The Individual Transition Plan should be a collaborative effort of all the involved departments, and the implementation should begin when the TAY reaches age 16. DCFS or Probation should develop one cohesive plan, which includes the desires of the youth for continuing their education/training and future goals. All agencies should ensure that 86 TAYs and their foster parents participate in all meetings concerning the TAY's case. The departments must ensure that TAYs are given the opportunity to express themselves without fear of retribution. RESPONSE The Department agrees with the recommendation. The recommendation has been partiaiiy implemented and requires further analysis. The recommendation for implementation with the other departments is targeted for 2024 but is contingent upon further discussion and agreement with other departments. Additionally, DCFS has agreed to create by January 2024 a specialized section of staff who will provide intensive services for youth who are transitioning from care. That section staff will be responsible for supporting transition age youth who are transitioning from care, including working coiiaborativeiy with representatives from other County departments. County of Los Angeles DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES 12880 CROSSROADS PARKWAY SOUTH • CITY OP INDUSTRY. CAUFORMIA SI748 Tel(582) S08-S«(I0• Fax l JAQQE OONTRERAS. PtvD Otrcclor ^ Supofwttora HtUSAL. SOUS FiralOiitrtet HOaYJ.KnCHELL Second OiurKi UNDSEYP.KQRVATH Third OilMcl July 20.2023 KATHRYN 8AR0ER FaihOhtilet Fesia A. Davenport Chief Executive Office 745 Kenneth Hahn Hali of Administration 500 West Temple Street Los Angeles, OA 90012 Dear Ms. Davenport: 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY HNAL REPORT Enclosed is the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Sen/ices' (DPSS) response to the one DPSS-related recommendation Identified in the 2022-2023 Los Angeles County Civil Grand Jury Rnal Report. As listed in the Department's response. DPSS e^rees vtrith Recommendation 1.2(b). Please let me know Ifyou have any questions, or your staff may contact Sheila Early. Division Chief, Research, Evaluationand QuatltyAssurance Division, at (562) 908-5879. Sincerely, ickie Contreras, Ph.D. Director JCrIb Enclosure To Enrich Uvos Through BfoeOvo and Caring Sonrico" 146 RESPONSE TO THE CIVIL GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES 2022-2023 CIVIL GRAND JURY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AGING OUT: TRANSITIONAL AGED YOUTH RECOMMENDATION NO. 1.2fbl DCFS and Probation should assist the youth to obtain public and privately funded services. Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) should provide information to the TAY for General Relief, CalWORKs, CalFresh, and Medi-Cal. RESPONSE The Department agrees and supports Recommendation 1.2(b). The Recommendation will be implemented in collaboration with DCFS and the Probation Department to provide the TAY population with information on how to apply for General Relief, CalWORKs, CalFresh, and Medi-Cal services. Additionally, we will provide DCFS and Probation with outreach material on departmental programs and services. 147 /j County OFIosAngris iffcPDilHG HeslUi MOAOA PEttCa, Ph,0^ ilCM. liiflCfO' MUKIU DAVISw M.D- NLP.H Cowily •'rto'ti UCOAM McCtAtte. MI.YP.M. Chot Dopoly omclat 3'..3KprV-i figiMOa St>(Ml.SU(« 806 iii', f-ngittn CA 90012 rfl 17131 268 8117 • fAX fJ13| V76.12/3 mnwrrMlttntiQiMHViilTiHOT TO: FROM; SUBJECT; Fesia A, Oavooport Chtef Executiva Office 713 Kenneth Hahn Hail of Admnstration 500 West Temple Street Los Angeles. OA 80O12 Attention: Cheri Thomas Barbara F| Director 2022-23 Civil GrandJury Recommendations Response For:A{^ng Out of Transitional Aged Youth,Zero Emissions and AirQuaHtyMonitoring, Have We M.&T Mental Health Evaluation Teams and How They Worh Ailached for yourconsideration isthe Department ofPublic Health's responselo the2022-2023 CM! Grand Jury report, as required tiy California Penal Code sections 9^(c).Pfease note that Put)6c Health'sToxioology and Envbomnentai AssessmordBranchhas been folded intoOre rrew Office of Environtnental Justice and CBmate Health. Please contact Joshua Bobrowsky at jbobrowskyigph.lacouniy.gov ifyou have any questions. Sincerely, er. Ph.D., M.P.hil.. M.Ed.