Calaveras County Grand Jury
• 2023-2024
Calaveras County Civil Grand Jury Child Welfare Services in Calaveras County Striving for Success: Doing More With Less
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 4 findings
F1
The current level of staffing at Child Welfare Services risks decreasing the department’s ability to properly meet the needs of our community due to employee burnout and turnover.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1a
Calaveras County Civil Grand Jury recommends that, by December 31, 2024, a task force be established by Calaveras County Health and Human Service Agency, with representatives from Child Welfare Service, and Calaveras County Economic and Community Development Department to create a campaign to attract and recruit qualified candidates for Social Work positions in Calaveras County.
R1b
Calaveras County Civil Grand Jury recommends the resulting Health and Human Services task force implement the campaign
F2
Operating under the current county contract procedure can sometimes delay or prevent the ability to provide prompt access to health providers, which can be detrimental to clients in need of services.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
Calaveras County Civil Grand Jury recommends that Calaveras County Health and Human Services create standardized contracts with language previously approved and then tailored to the requirements of each individual division of Health and Human Services Agency
F3
A shortage of pre-approved service providers can delay access to much-needed services for clients.
Related Recommendations (2)
R3a
Calaveras County Civil Grand Jury recommends that, by December 31, 2024, HHSA establish a process of prequalifying and pre-approving anticipated health care providers prior to an immediate need.
R3b
Calaveras County Civil Grand Jury recommends that, by December 31, 2024, HHSA streamline the process of renewing contracts with established service providers prior to contract expiration dates.
F4
Child Welfare Services and Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office have different understandings of what security is needed for social workers in the field during volatile or hazardous calls.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
Calaveras County Civil Grand Jury recommends that, by December 31, 2024, representatives from Calaveras County Health and Human Services Agency, Child Welfare Services, and Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office meet to establish a mutual understanding regarding these anticipated situations and meet quarterly thereafter.
Commendations 1
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CM1C1. Calaveras County Civil Grand Jury commends the many organizations and services available to serve the youth of our county. Under new leadership, effort is being made to improve efficiency and cooperation among county agencies, and we feel confident that those working in these agencies are devoted to supporting and serving our children to the absolute best of their ability. C2. Throughout the review and investigative process by the Calaveras County Civil Grand Jury, the Grand Jury was impressed and pleased to have been introduced to personnel within multiple divisions of the Calaveras County Health and Human Services Agency. The Grand Jury encountered dedicated professionals who extended their time and full cooperation to help us understand their mission and functions in providing health and social wellbeing support to the citizens of Calaveras County. They have been tasked to do so much with fewer resources than many comparable counties. The Grand Jury applauds their efforts and can comfortably suggest that Calaveras County Health and Human Services Agency is in capable and amply qualified hands. Reports issued by the Grand Jury do not identify individuals interviewed. Penal Code §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 Grand Jury. REFERENCE SOURCES Calaveras County Board of Supervisors Meeting Minutes Calaveras County Office of Education Website and Brochures, www.ccoe.k12.ca.us (See Student Support Services) Calaveras Enterprise articles Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children, nexusyfs.org/casa/ Health and Human Services Handbook Health and Human Services Website and Brochures, hhsa.calaverasgov.us Resource Connection Website, Brochures, and Community Resource Directory, rr.trcac.org Calaveras Youth Mentoring Program, www.calaverasmentoring.org Gutierrez, Melody, “California Has Too Few Behavioral Health Professionals. Lawmakers Propose Fix.” Los Angeles Times, February 10, 2022 Weiner, Jocelyn, “Why California Is Facing a Mental Health Care Worker Shortage”, CalMatters, September 8, 2022 “Bridging the Gap: The Urgent need for Social Workers” Columbia School of Social Work, September 29, 2023 “Social Work Profession Faces Impending Labor Shortages, Study Finds” Philanthropy News Digest , March 13, 2006 “Classification and Compensation Study for Calaveras County, CA” conducted by Evergreen Solutions, LLC, March 21, 2024 http://steinberginstitute.org www.sierrachildandfamilyservices.org
No Responses Found 2
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