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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.

Santa Cruz County Grand Jury • 2004-2005

Counting Your Dollars: Page 1 - 5 Contracting for the Services of an Independent Auditor of County Finances

Published: June 24, 2005 151 pages
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Findings 54 findings

F1 Page 21
The State of California determines a minimum total CWS budget for each county. Some factors that influence the total minimum budget are: • number of children served; • cost to employ qualified social workers (as determined by the state); and • state ratios for number of social workers to children in need of services. Of this minimum required budget, the state contributes 70 percent and mandates that counties contribute 30 percent as a county share of the total CWS budget. Monies contributed by counties to their CWS budgets above the minimum required share are supplemented by other monies from state and federal sources. The resulting increased budget may not reflect the 70:30 budget contribution ratio.
F2 Page 21
Some counties supplement their CWS budget with additional state, federal and other monies. Santa Cruz County CWS has been able to access some of these funds.
F3 Page 21
In 2002-2003, Santa Cruz County overmatched the required minimum share of the CWS budget by $696,152. In 2003-2004, Santa Cruz County overmatched the required share of the minimum CWS budget by $718,541.
F4 Page 21
CWS budgets, county shares of these budgets, number of active cases and budget-to- child ratios vary from county to county. Fiscal Year 2002- Fiscal Year 2003- 2003 2004 Santa Cruz County Population: 251,584 Number of Active Cases 687 809 Total CWS Budget $8,246,650 $9,002,816 County Share Budget $1,538,957 $1,497,975 Total Budget Per Child $12,004 $11,128 County Share Budget Per Child $2,240 $1,852 The Welfare of Child Welfare: - 9 Comparison of Budgets 2004 – 2005 Santa Cruz Grand Jury Final Report County A Population: 246, 073 Number of Active Cases 470 391 Total CWS Budget $3,917,501 $4,778,564 County Share Budget $701,473 $967,956 Total Budget Per Child $8,335 $12,221 County Share Budget Per Child $1,493 $2,476 County B Population: 1,678,421 Number of Active Cases 5,638 5,242 Total CWS Budget $202,603,417 $214,665,827 County Share Budget $56,017,081 $52,586,883 Total Budget Per Child $35,936 $40,951 County Share Budget Per Child $9,936 $10,032 County C Population: 697,456 Number of Active Cases 1,175 1,216 Total CWS Budget $29,555,012 $31,736,859 County Share Budget $5,346,921 $7,453,884 Total Budget Per Child $25,153 $26,099 County Share Budget Per Child $4,551 $6,130 - 10 The Welfare of Child Welfare: Comparison of Budgets 2004 – 2005 Santa Cruz County Grand Jury Final Report County D Population: 131,607 Number of Active Cases 251 227 Total CWS Budget $8,523,987 $8,275,200 County Share Budget $779,255 $820,399 Total Budget Per Child $33,960 $36,455 County Share Budget Per Child $3,105 $3,614 Note: The total CWS budget number includes the 30 percent county share of the minimum budget, the 70 percent state share of the minimum budget and all additional county, state, federal and other dollars contributed to the CWS budget regardless of source. The populations of each county are 2003 US Census Bureau estimates.1 Table 1: Child Welfare Services Dollars Per Child Comparison.
F5 Page 23
The Grand Jury also researched information from the UC Berkeley “Point in Time” studies found on the UC Berkeley web site. This information, although very thorough in reporting data by children’s ages, caseloads of social workers and numbers of children in each category, is derived from the data of a single given day for each quarter.2 Conclusions
F6 Page 24
Compared to other counties, Santa Cruz County CWS has less funds available to serve an increasing number of active cases.
F7 Page 24
The UC Berkeley “Point in Time” studies do not reflect an annualized number of children served which the Grand Jury believes were needed for this budget analysis.
F8 Page 38
Rountree inmates can benefit from a variety of programs and educational opportunities.
F9 Page 38
The grievance procedures are due for a review and possible update.
F10 Page 38
The staff at Rountree performs its duties in a professional manner.
F11 Page 38
Closing the medical facility resulted in otherwise eligible inmates being housed in the Main Jail facility because of prescription drug needs.
F12 Page 40
The Blaine Street Jail buildings and grounds are attractive and well maintained.
F13 Page 40
The facility is well staffed, and staff appears to be attuned to the needs of the inmates.
F14 Page 40
There is a variety of useful activities available to the inmates.
F15 Page 41
Juvenile Hall is well managed with a caring and diverse staff.
F16 Page 41
The Juvenile Hall buildings and grounds are well maintained. - 12 Santa Cruz County Jails Review 2004 – 2005 Santa Cruz County Grand Jury Final Report
F17 Page 42
Construction of a closed gymnasium would allow for adequate physical activity during poor weather.
F18 Page 42
The Home Electronic Monitoring program reduces the Juvenile Hall population.
F19 Page 42
For security and safety reasons, electronic doors need to be installed throughout the facility.
F20 Page 42
The heating and ventilation system in Juvenile Hall is inadequate.
F21 Page 43
The California Youth Authority Camp facility was well managed by a professional and well-trained staff.
F22 Page 43
The California Youth Authority Fire Camp provided a community service to Santa Cruz County.
F23 Page 43
The support provided to the CDF by the CYA wards was a beneficial service to our community.
F24 Page 43
The wards once housed there have lost an enriching opportunity to learn an employment skill, which might have kept them from returning to a life of crime.
F25
Services available to Medi-Cruz recipients are: • primary health care in clinics; • X-rays; • pharmaceuticals; • emergency care; and • hospital (in-patient) care.
F26 Page 62
Medi-Cruz does not cover jailed inmates. The medical costs for incarcerated patients come from the Detention Jail budget. Even if they are active Medi-Cruz patients, services cease after they are booked according to HSA personnel.
F27 Page 62
According to Dominican Hospital personnel, there is a staff member at Dominican Hospital to assist people to sign up for Medi-Cruz and Medi-Cal. This position is not staffed 24 hours a day. Shades of Gray: - 7 Dominican Santa Cruz Hospital/Jail Medical Facility 2004-2005 Santa Cruz County Grand Jury Final Report
F28 Page 63
Patients determined eligible for Medi-Cruz services can have treatment paid for retroactively. However, it is up to the client to cooperate and follow through with the paperwork for this to be accomplished.
F29 Page 63
The medical budget for detention facilities is $3 million. The three largest components of the detention medical budget are: • nursing/medical care (salaries) within the jail; • services delivered at the county health clinics (X-rays, pharmacy and laboratory are the largest intra-agency cost); and • outside medical care (Doctors On Duty or dental care).
F30 Page 63
CHIP funds may not be used to support health services provided to persons detained in a county or city jail or other correctional facility (W&I Code Section 16995).8
F31 Page 63
HSA personnel believed that claims for indigent detainees might be partially covered by CHIP money. The amount of funding the county receives from CHIP doesn’t allow for 100 percent reimbursement of all of those claims. The total 2004-2005 CHIP allocation for Santa Cruz County is $77,214.
F32 Page 63
According to HSA personnel, there is disagreement over who is financially responsible for blood draws and Breathalyzer tests done on detainees to determine drug and alcohol levels. The law is not specific, and it is an area of contention.
F33 Page 63
The jail does not do Breathalyzer tests or blood draws on arrested subjects. Law enforcement officers perform Breathalyzer tests. The hospital does not have Breathalyzer equipment. Nurses at the Main Jail do not take blood alcohol levels. They cannot collect evidence.
F34 Page 63
Hospital personnel must perform blood draws. As a result, this takes away from staff time to collect samples. Hospital staff is often called to testify in court regarding collection of such samples as evidence. Staff are not reimbursed for court appearances. Procedural Alternatives
F35 Page 63
A Santa Cruz County elected official says that legislation should be changed. People who are eligible for state medical benefits should not lose those benefits when incarcerated.
F36 Page 63
According to a Dominican Hospital medical staff member, patients could be better handled at the jail if there were an infirmary on site. Once they are cleared medically, they should be able to be monitored on site at the jail. Application for California Healthcare for Indigents Program Funding for Fiscal Year 2004-5, May 4,
F37 Page 64
Detention Health Services intends to clarify in writing the criteria for transporting individuals to emergency departments for medical clearance prior to bringing them to jail. It appears that many people being brought to emergency departments could be brought to the jail directly by police officers. Training for police also appears necessary so that individuals are brought to the appropriate location.9
F38 Page 64
Detention Medical staff is also evaluating current staffing patterns and hours to better serve this population in a cost-effective and clinically appropriate manner. Additional staffing may be required on Friday and Saturday nights for medical direction of these cases. This is a peak time for cases with alcohol and drug involvement. 10
F39 Page 39
The Board of Corrections’ rated capacity is 42 inmates. As of May 4, 2005, the facility had 22 inmates.
F40 Page 39
There have been six escapes (walkaways) in the past year.
F41 Page 39
There have been no deaths in the past year.
F42 Page 39
Fire drills are held monthly.
F43 Page 39
There are 25 rooms, five of which do not house inmates. These are used for storage or office space. The inmates’ rooms house up to two inmates per room.
F44 Page 39
Meals are prepared by inmates from menus provided by the county dietitian.
F45 Page 39
There are two classrooms in the facility. Attendance at these classes is voluntary. The classes offered are: • GED (General Equivalency Degree); • job skills; • Pajaro Valley Substance Abuse Prevention and Student Assistance; • exit plans; • computers; • crocheting and knitting; • parenting skills; • communication skills; • women’s health; • Narcotics Anonymous; • Alcoholics Anonymous; and • Bible study, various church groups.
F46 Page 39
Grievances are handled through a grievance form. An inmate can request this form from a staff member. If the grievance concerns a staff member, the grievance is handled with that staff member and the director. If the grievance concerns other areas, - 10 Santa Cruz County Jails Review 2004 – 2005 Santa Cruz County Grand Jury Final Report it is discussed with the director. Grievances are usually handled upon receipt of the form.
F47 Page 40
Each inmate is given a set behavior rules. If there is a violation of these rules, the following steps are taken: • a verbal warning is issued; • a written warning is issued; • privileges are lost; • extra work detail is assigned; • counseling is scheduled with the director; and • if there are too many infractions, the inmate is sent to the Main Jail.
F48 Page 40
Both the interior and exterior of the building are clean and neatly maintained. The outside area is in a garden setting and used by inmates for activities such as reading and socializing and is also used for family visits.
F49 Page 40
There is one officer on duty for all shifts, 24 hours a day. Conclusions
F50 Page 65
Under the Serial Inebriate Program, inebriates who are arrested three times go to detoxification or jail. Serial Inebriate Program in San Diego County
F51 Page 65
Started in January 2000, the Serial Inebriate Program is an innovative effort involving the City and County of San Diego, the San Diego Police and Sheriff's Departments, San Diego County Superior Courts, San Diego County Health and Human Services and Mental Health Systems, Inc. A number of agencies and treatment partners work in tandem with SIP. This collaborative effort provides a less expensive and more appropriate alternative to emergency departments and jails for treatment of homeless chronic inebriates. This program has had a dramatic effect on San Diego emergency - 10 Shades of Gray: Dominican Santa Cruz Hospital/Jail Medical Facility 2004-2005 Santa Cruz County Grand Jury Final Report departments.12 In San Diego, the first year of the program saw 144 people enter the program. A year later, 58 percent had had no contact with police since leaving treatment.
F52 Page 66
The goals of the Serial Inebriate Program (SIP) are to: • slow or stop the revolving door cycle of chronic alcoholics going in and out of detoxification centers, county jail and emergency rooms; • divert this population off the street and into county-funded treatment programs; • significantly reduce the uncompensated costs, time constraints and manpower burdens to San Diego County's healthcare, law enforcement and judicial infrastructure caused by homeless, chronic alcoholics; and • give people who routinely live on the street an opportunity to create a stable mainstream lifestyle.
F53 Page 66
The program strategy offers treatment in a joint City/County-funded program in lieu of custody time resulting from a guilty verdict for public intoxication. Once in treatment, clients are provided with wraparound services designed to help their recovery from alcoholism and begin moving them toward re-entering society as a sober community member. Conclusions
F54 Page 112
At the Santa Cruz City-County Library System JPA Board meeting on May 2, 2005, a proposal was put forth to close the Felton branch to reduce the upcoming fiscal year 2005-06 budget shortfall of $173,000 by $156,355.39 The community strongly opposed the closing, and the JPA Board voted to keep the branch open. Conclusions Library Administration

Recommendations 63