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Findings and Recommendations 8 findings
F1
Security measures at Orangewood Children’s Home are well designed and effective; however, 24-hour security officer coverage and receiving dock vigilance could be improved. (During the past several years, many security upgrades have been added to protect the facility.) A response to Finding 1 is required from the Board of Supervisors and requested from the Social Services Agency.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
To continue the process of continuous improvement in the security arrangements for Orangewood Children’s Home, two enhancements are suggested: · A contingency plan should be developed to ensure 24-hour coverage if a scheduled security officer is absent for any reason (vacation, holiday or illness). · A video camera should be installed to monitor the receiving dock area (vulnerable to outsiders). A response to Recommendation 1 is required from the Board of Supervisors and requested from the Social Services Agency. 9
F2
There has been a significant decline in the average daily population of Orangewood Children’s Home from 1998 to 1999. However, the demand for County-supplied clothing remains high because children entering the foster care system and bypassing Orangewood still receive three days of clothing. A response to Finding 2 is required from the Board of Supervisors and requested from the Social Services Agency.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
The current annual budget of $180,000 for new clothing should not be reduced based solely on the significant decline in the average daily population of Orangewood Children’s Home from 1998 to 1999. A response to Recommendation 2 is required from the Board of Supervisors and requested from the Social Services Agency.
F3
There is an effective automated system for releasing new clothing items; however, there is no inventory control system for used clothing. A response to Finding 3 is required from the Board of Supervisors and requested from the Social Services Agency.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
A study should be initiated on the feasibility of creating an inventory control system for all or selected used-clothing items. This study should address the question of whether such a system can be operated on a cost-effective basis. A response to Recommendation 3 is required from the Board of Supervisors and requested from the Social Services Agency.
F4
Many donated items (clothing, footwear, toys, etc.) are received daily by Orangewood Children’s Home. These items are screened for potential use at the home. If they do not pass the inspection process, they are transferred to the foster care store in bulk without any regard to saleability or pricing. A response to Finding 4 is required from the Board of Supervisors and requested from the Social Services Agency.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
To improve service to the foster care store, the following changes should be considered in the handling of donated material. (See Appendix A) · In the screening process, items that are not useable or saleable or could potentially represent a safety hazard should be discarded and considered for sale to a contract dealer. · Saleable items should be sorted by major category for ease of handling at the foster care store. · A pricing system should be investigated for installation at Orangewood Children’s Home for items transferred to the foster care store. A response to Recommendation 4 is required from the Board of Supervisors and requested from the Social Services Agency.
F5
Orangewood Children’s Home is becoming increasingly populated with older children. In September 1999, children ages 11 through 18 represented 58 percent of the total population at Orangewood Children’s Home. (In September 1998, older children accounted for 36 percent of the total.) This trend is likely to continue based on recent state legislation, such as AB1197. In many cases, these older children are individuals 8 with behavioral and emotional challenges. The Social Services Agency has recently formed a community task force to study the implications of an older population at Orangewood. A response to Finding 5 is required from the Board of Supervisors and requested from the Social Services Agency.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
The community task force should focus their initial efforts on providing staffing recommendations for Orangewood to the Social Services Agency before the 2000-01 budget process is completed. A response to Recommendation 5 is required from the Board of Supervisors and requested from the Social Services Agency.
F6
Based on the average daily population of 110 children in 1999, Orangewood Children’s Home is currently overstaffed with counselors and support personnel. A response to Finding 6 is required from the Board of Supervisors and requested from the Social Services Agency.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
The Social Services Agency should consider the following in determining future staff levels for Orangewood Children’s Home: · Explore whether new employees at Orangewood could complete the required 12-credit early childhood education program on their own time. · A five-year population projection by age category should be completed for Orangewood in preparation for the 2000–01 budget. A response to Recommendation 6 is required from the Board of Supervisors and requested from the Social Services Agency. 10
F7
Information about the foster care store is not provided to new foster care parents in current orientation material. A response to Finding 7 is required from the Board of Supervisors and requested from the Social Services Agency.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
Orientation material presented to new foster care parents should include information about the foster care store. A response to Recommendation 7 is required from the Board of Supervisors and requested from the Social Services Agency.
F8
Group counselors at Orangewood Children’s Home receive all Child Abuse Registry (CAR) calls on weekends and from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. on weekdays. These counselors do not receive the training given to the CAR social workers on a continuing basis. A response to Finding 8 is required from the Board of Supervisors and requested from the Social Services Agency.
Related Recommendations (1)
R8
Orangewood Children’s Home should remain the receiving location for child abuse calls from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. and on weekends. The Social Services Agency and Child Abuse Registry should initiate a study of the feasibility of re-training Orangewood Children’s Home group counselors along with CAR social workers so that after-hours calls can be handled more effectively. A response to Recommendation 8 is required from the Board of Supervisors and requested from the Social Services Agency.
Commendations 3
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CM1The Department of Children’s and Family Services of the Social Services Agency for: · The success it has achieved in expanding programs to help maintain children in the least restrictive family-like setting possible. · The cooperation of the staff of Orangewood Children’s Home in the interviewing process and in their responsiveness in supplying requested quantitative data and information.
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CM2The Salvation Army for its flow and tracking system on donated items. The Grand Jury’s visit to their central warehouse was a valuable educational experience.
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CM3The Foster Care Parents Auxiliary for their dedication and support in maintaining a discount store for foster care parents. 11 APPENDIX A FLOW AND TRACKING OF DONATED ITEMS IN A WELL-MANAGED WAREHOUSE RECEIVING Items received from: Route trucks (14) Retail Stores Collection Centers CATEGORIZED BY TYPE AND PUT IN ROLLING CARTS Toys, Clothing, Furniture, Electronics, Footwear, etc. RELOCATED TO CATEGORY SECTORS (Clothing as Example) SCREENED FOR ITEMS THAT ARE SALEABLE Saleable clothing sorted into metal baskets (Men’s, women’s, and children’s) Unsaleable clothing is baled and sold by the pound to private contractors 80% to 85% is Saleable FURTHER SORTED FROM FOUR TO TWENTY-ONE CATEGORIES Clothing (as appropriate) put on hangers RELOCATED AND PRICED Computer priced by condition LOADED INTO LOCKED CONTAINERS AND READY FOR SHIPMENT TO STORES Items not sold within the specified time limits are sent back to warehouse for the daily auction 12
No Responses Found 1
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
Orange County
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