Score: +5
(6/1/1)
Del Norte County Grand Jury
• 2016-2017
2017/2018 DEL Norte County Grand Jury
⚠️ 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 10 findings
F1
The Del Norte County Fairgrounds is an important community resource.
F2
The Local Board is in compliance with the LAFCo structure.
F3
Both the 41st State Board and the Local Board combined meetings help to allow for sharing of information necessary for oversight.
F4
The 41st State Board and the Local Board members are working together effectively to provide continued operations of the fairground. 7
F5
While the 41st State Board has submitted requests for funding and the Local Board has approved transfers of funds, there is limited information provided regarding specific spending elements and restrictions on the use of the transferred funds.
F6
The Local Board adopted a Financial Committee to provide information according to state law. It has been operating in conjunction with the 41st State Board but it is on an informal basis.
F7
The Local Board is utilizing sales tax revenue to provide for current operation of the Del Norte County Fair and year round events, but is also building up reserve funds for when the sales tax expires in 2022 to allow for future operations.
F8
Remi Vista, Inc.is jeopardizing the mental health stability and recovery time of its child clients by failing to meet its legal obligation to provide mental health services within 30 days, as required by California state law, without consequence.
F9
There is very little productive collaboration among Mental Health stakeholders, including local medical providers, local law enforcement, tribal social service agencies, local schools, private non- profits and the community at large to maximize the limited resources available in Del Norte County for the mentally ill.
F10
Underrepresented populations in Del Norte County cannot utilize Mental Health services due to a lack of outreach, its poor location and its centralized services.
Recommendations 9
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R1While both the Local Board and the 41st State Board memberships are effectively working together, there needs to be a dispute resolution structure put into place in case membership changes or diverging priorities result in conflict.
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R2The Local Board should make a greater effort to publicize and reach out to the community for greater participation. Increasing the posting of the agenda’s locations, utilizing the electronic sign near the highway, greater exposure of the meetings on the website should be offered. The minutes from each Local Board meeting should be posted for greater public engagement.
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R3The lease agreement between the State of California and Local Board to assume control and operations from the 41st State Board should be resubmitted and promoted when a new Governor is elected in November of 2018.
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R4The Local Board financial committee should be more formalized and operate in accordance with their own Financial and Accounting Policies and Procedures adopted October 29, 2015.
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R5Without Local Board control, the public may wish to explore resubmitting the question of a sales tax on the ballot.
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R6The MOU authorizing the grant of funds from the Local Board to the 41st State Board should be followed. More detailed information should be provided by the 41st State Board as to the purpose of the Del Norte County taxpayer funds and how they will be spent. The Local Board should place more explicit restrictions on the use of the funds to ensure Del Norte County taxpayer funds are not being used in improper ways on State of California property.
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R7The Local Board should provide more detailed accounting of income, expenditures, and transfers to provide greater transparency and accountability to the public. 8 2017/2018 Del Norte Grand Jury Local Application and Effects of Assembly Bill 109, Public Safety Realignment Act
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R8For F8, Department of Health and Human Services should issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) prior to the next fiscal year, seeking bids for mental health services for children. Other organizations may be able to offer the same or better services, demonstrated through the bidding process, at a savings to Del Norte County taxpayers. The Department should re-seek bids every three years to keep services competitive. Beginning with the next fiscal year, financial assessments should be included in any contract for services for the failure of the contractor to comply with its statutory requirements to provide services to children. Public input should also be encouraged as part of an open and transparent evaluation process.
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R9For F3, F9 and F10, Mental Health should become more of a public presence in the community, with increased active outreach to encourage greater participation in services by the community. Mental Health should also decentralize its operations, establishing easily- accessible services in facilities in the outlying areas of Del Norte County, including Smith River, Klamath and Gasquet. 20
Commendations 2
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CM1C1. Commander Bill Steven, for his excellent judgment and commitment to public safety. C2. Judge William Follett for his supervision and direction of the Integrated Treatment Court (ITC). 13 2017-2018 Del Norte County Grand Jury Report on Department of Health and Human Services Mental Health Branch Summary Mental health needs are climbing towards epidemic proportions in the nation and Del Norte County. The number of people affected by those with reported mental health issues (which can also include alcohol and other drug abuse) has escalated over the last decade. Ten years ago, the National Institute for Mental Health reported that 11.2 percent of the population had any kind of mental illness, and 25% of them suffered from a severe mental illness. In 2016, that number had risen to 18.3 percent, an increase of 54 percent. Data for Del Norte County has been limited, as it is usually grouped together with other rural California counties, but what data is available shows Del Norte County to have double the mental health-related conditions as other parts of California. The Grand Jury decided to examine the Mental Health Branch of the Del Norte County Department of Health and Human Services. It found that the department had not been reviewed by a Grand Jury in over 12 years, and wanted to take this opportunity to examine the mental health services available to county residents and their efficacy. It was impossible to fully-address all aspects and issues explored during its investigation of the agency, so the Grand Jury focused on those areas highlighted in the Discussion Section of this report. It has concluded that most services for people in Del Norte County with mental health care needs are limited and difficult to access.
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CM2This is an excellent example of a positive reinforcement type program. In addition, it benefits Del Norte County and the State of California. Alder Camp is to be commended for the work done there. The staff overseeing this program is committed. Their efforts are to be commended 34
Agency Responses 1
Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.