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Extraído del Informe Consolidado
Esta investigación fue publicada originalmente como parte de un informe consolidado más amplio que contiene múltiples investigaciones. Consulte el PDF consolidado para ver el documento completo.
Yolo County Grand Jury
• 2016-2017
California Connections to Success Act:
⚠️ Aviso de traducción: Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings 13 findings
F1
Page 47
By providing an additional three-year transition period to adulthood and support for independent living, the Extended Foster Care program has improved the lives of foster youth in Yolo County.
F2
Page 58
School Districts regularly conduct safety training for all school employees, usually at the beginning of the school year. Some Districts provide more comprehensive training throughout the school year.
F3
Page 58
Washington Unified School District does an exemplary job with its Comprehensive School Safety Plan and execution on all campuses.
F4
Page 47
Almost all eligible young people who turn age 18 in Yolo County’s child welfare system or in out-of-home placement in Juvenile Probation opt to participate in the Extended Foster Care program.
F5
Page 47
Yolo County’s Child Welfare Service’s social workers and Juvenile Probation Officers who oversee and work with young people in the Extended Foster Care program are highly dedicated and committed.
F6
Page 47
Yolo County Transition Age Youth Unit’s social workers reach out to and involve foster care youth at age 14, an earlier age than many other California counties.
F7
Page 47
The Extended Foster Care program has increased the rates of high school graduation and college enrollment among foster youth.
F8
Page 47
The Child Welfare Services Division and the Juvenile Probation Unit have insufficient resources to track analyze, aggregate and report data on these youths. Inadequate data hinders data-based program and funding decision-making.
F9
Page 47
Many Extended Foster Care youth are unable to secure appropriate, safe, and affordable housing in Yolo County, limiting their ability to participate in Yolo County’s Independent Living Skills Program classes.
F10
Page 47
Current public transportation options make it difficult for foster youth to pursue education and gain employment.
F11
Page 47
Although Independent Living Skills classes are described as valuable and relevant by both Child Welfare staff and extended foster youth interviewed for this report, few youths over 18 actually attend the classes.
F12
Page 47
Extended foster care youth gain valuable real-world experience in making and sticking to a budget when they are given the responsibility for managing their monthly foster care payment.
F13
Page 59
The Yolo County Board of Supervisors needs to address and correct traffic safety issues along Yolo Avenue in Esparto for Esparto Unified District students accessing all campuses.
Recommendations 12
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R1Page 47The Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency and the Juvenile Probation Unit should continue to proactively promote the Extended Foster Care program and advocate for the participation of all eligible foster youth. 46 2016 – 2017 YOLO COUNTY GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT: INVESTIGATIONS CALIFORNIA CONNECTIONS TO SUCCESS ACT: A BETTER BRIDGE TO ADULTHOOD FOR YOLO COUNTY’S FOSTER YOUTH
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R2Page 48The County should increase the budget for the Independent Living Skills Program to cover needed financial assistance to youth renting apartments.
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R3Page 48Within two years, the Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency should initiate local low-cost housing options for the youth in the Extended Foster Care program.
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R4Page 48Within one year, the County should establish sufficient systems to analyze, track, aggregate and report data to monitor progress and outcomes for Yolo County Extended Foster Care Program’s youth, including those in the Child Welfare Services and in Juvenile Probation programs.
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R5Page 48Within one year, the Health and Human Services Agency should collaborate with local transportation agencies and non-profit organizations to improve and fund transportation for foster youth attending Independent Living Skills classes, seeking employment, and pursuing higher education.
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R6Page 48, the Health and Human Services Agency should evaluate the new mental health services established within the Child Welfare Services Division to determine if utilization of mental health services has increased among the foster youth.
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R7Page 59By October 1, 2017, all Districts will comply with the California Education Code concerning school safety.
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R8Page 59By October 1, 2017, Yolo County Districts should consider networking with each other on a regular basis to discuss and share ideas on the most effective ways to construct, initiate and utilize school safety plans. 58 2016 - 2017 YOLO COUNTY GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT APPENDIX: RESPONSES TO THE 2016 -2017 FINAL REPORT ARE YOLO COUNTY SCHOOLS IN COMPLIANCE WITH SCHOOL SAFETY PLANS?
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R9Page 60By October 1, 2017, modify, as necessary, the 2007 Memorandum of Understanding for Joint Use with Winters Joint Unified School District and the Yolo County Public Library to address the safety of students using the Winters Public Library during school hours.
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R10Page 60By January 1, 2018, the Yolo County Board of Supervisors will establish procedures to address the Yolo Avenue safety issues confronting Esparto Unified District students.
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R11Prior to the 2017 evaluations, the CAO shall revise and extend the current 360-degree evaluation process to include all elected officials and department heads.
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R18-21Page 40were eligible. Child Welfare Services Implementation of Extended Foster Care In 2012, the Child Welfare Services Division of the Health and Human Services Agency created the Transition Age Unit to prepare foster youth age 14-21 for self-sufficient adulthood. The Transition Age Unit consists of a manager and five social workers (case managers) who stay with the youth until they “age out.” A sixth social worker operates the Independent Living Skills Program. This social worker administers and frequently teaches transitional living classes, provides outreach services to engage youth in independent living services, and offers group and one-on-one financial and educational assistance, and referrals to community resources. The Child Welfare Services managers reported that turnover within the unit is very low and that the social workers are highly committed to working with older youth and to building long-term, trusting relationships. Group homes housing extended foster care youth receive higher foster care payments. 39
Conclusions 2
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CL1Extended Foster Care smooths the pathway to adulthood for Yolo County foster youth ages 18-21. Extended Foster Care youth attend school, are employed, manage their own money, and engage in practical activities geared toward independent living. By allowing the youth to exit out of and re- enter care, these young people experience the natural consequences of choices and decisions without losing needed support. The continued time in care gives program participants breathing room to gain important decision-making skills, benefit from positive adult relationships, and increase self-sufficiency. Three years have passed since the Extended Foster Care program was expanded to age 21. The fact that almost all Yolo County foster youth have opted to stay in the system is a testament to the law and to the professionalism and dedication of the program’s social workers and probation officers. Upon turning 18, these vulnerable young people are less likely to face futures of economic instability, educational deficits, homelessness, and mental health issues. To the question, “Has Extended Foster Care improved the outcomes for youth participating in the program?” The Yolo County Grand Jury answers, “Yes.” 45 2016 – 2017 YOLO COUNTY GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT: INVESTIGATIONS CALIFORNIA CONNECTIONS TO SUCCESS ACT: A BETTER BRIDGE TO ADULTHOOD FOR YOLO COUNTY’S FOSTER YOUTH
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CL2In response to the Findings and Recommendations published in the 2015-2016 Grand Jury Final Report, this summary of responses documents the comments received and the measures taken by the investigated parties and governing bodies. Agency and individual comments were timely and thorough in observance of statutory requirements and were in the spirit of cooperation with the Grand Jury. Of the 18 Recommendations contained within the 2015-2016 Report, 11 will be implemented, two were already implemented, two will not be implemented, two were deemed not to be warranted, and one required further analysis. The negative responses stated the underlying reason(s) for the agency’s or individual’s non-implementation of the Recommendation. The potential benefit of the implemented recommendations demonstrates that the Yolo County Grand Jury continues to serve as a useful agent for positive change. BIBLIOGRAPHY 2015-2016 Yolo County Grand Jury Final Report, June 30, 2015: http://www.yolocounty.org/business/community/grand-jury/yolo-county-grand-jury-reports Responses to 2015-2016 Yolo County Grand Jury Reports (also posted on the web page above) Yolo County Response to “The Yolo County Health and Human Services Department: Personnel Practices” Yolo County Response to “Wild Wings County Service Area: Management and Service Concerns” Yolo County Response to “Yolo County Sheriff’s Office Detention Facility Review” 83 2016 - 2017 YOLO COUNTY GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT APPENDIX: RESPONSES TO THE 2016 -2017 FINAL REPORT CONTINUITY REPORT FOR THE 2015-16 YOLO COUNTY GRAND JURY Office of the Yolo County Sheriff Response to “Yolo County Sheriff’s Office Detention Facility Review” Yolo County Response to “Yolo Habitat Conservancy: A Never-Ending Story” Yolo Habitat Conservancy Response to “Yolo Habitat Conservancy: A Never- Ending Story” City of Davis Response to “Yolo Habitat Conservancy: A Never-Ending Story” City of West Sacramento Response to “Yolo Habitat Conservancy: A Never-Ending Story” City of Woodland Response to “Yolo Habitat Conservancy: A Never-Ending Story” Reports issued by the Civil Grand Jury do not identify individuals interviewed. Penal Code Section 929 requires that reports of the Grand Jury not contain the name of any person or facts leading to the identity of any person who provides information to the Civil Grand Jury. 84 2016 - 2017 YOLO COUNTY GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT APPENDIX: RESPONSES TO THE 2016 -2017 FINAL REPORT APPENDIX RESPONSES TO THE 2016 - 2017 FINAL REPORT
No Responses Found 1
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
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