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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.

Trinity County Grand Jury • 1998-1999

Evaluation of Child Protective Services Compliance: Foster Care Program

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Findings 15 findings

F1 Page 12
Information The 1997-98 Grand Jury found that the level of foster child information provided initially to foster parents was frequently inadequate, and it recommended that CPS provide the foster parent(s) with the background infor- mation necessary to effectively aid in meeting the needs of foster children. Foster parents interviewed indicated that they are now getting available information. A form is now being used that documents the information provided to the foster family, and a system for ascertaining compliance is now in place.
F2 Page 12
Complaint Processing The 1997-98 Grand Jury found that some citizen com- plaints were not acted upon in a timely manner. It was recommended that CPS develop a procedure for pro- cessing all complaints in an expeditious manner and that complainants be notified whether or not any actions have been taken with regards to the complaint and if not why no actions were taken. Procedures have been devel- oped and, reportedly, are being followed.
F3 Page 12
Licensing The 1997-98 Grand Jury determined that CPS had not been following procedures mandated be law in the re- licensing of foster homes. The Grand Jury strongly rec- ommended compliance in this matter. CPS has employed a Social Worker who has completed extensive training in the licensing of foster homes and in the administration of the foster care program. This So- cial Worker has met individually with all parents in the county foster care program. He has also conducted a group meeting with the majority of the foster families. Re-licensing of current foster homes has been completed. Foster families interviewed have expressed positive com- ments about the changes that have been implemented in this area.
F4 Page 13
Telephone The 1997-98 Grand Jury found that phone calls to CPS were either not always being answered or were not be- ing returned in a timely manner. It was recommend that procedures for handling and responding to incoming tele- phone calls be implemented and adhered to. New telephone procedures are now in place and re- sponse time has been markedly improved. CPS now has a paging system in place through which they can contact case workers, in an emergency, and a 24-hour response time for all messages is policy. However, fos- ter families continued to register some complaints in this area as late as January, 1999.
F5 Page 13
Clothing Allowance The 1997-98 Grand Jury determined that the clothing allowance for foster children in Trinity County was sub- stantially below that provided by nearby counties, and that payment of the clothing allowance was not being provided in a consistent or timely manner. It was rec- ommended that the clothing allowance be reviewed im- mediately and that the allowance be brought closer to nearby county levels. A revised clothing allowance for the foster children has been presented to and passed by the Trinity County Board of Supervisors. Foster families have begun to receive the new amounts.
F6 Page 13
Activity Documentation An Oversight Report on child welfare services prepared by the California Department of Social Services, in May- June 1997, found that CPS was below the 90% compli- ance level in documenting its activities. The state re- quired a Corrective Action Plan to bring CPS into com- pliance with state law in regards to this matter. At the time that the 1998-99 Grand Jury commenced its ten- ure, no Corrective Action plan had been submitted to the state. The Corrective Action plan was completed by CPS and sent to the state in September 1998. It should be noted, however, that many elements outlined in the plan had already been implemented or were in the process of being corrected. Quarterly reviews by the CPS supervi- sor are being done to insure documentation is both timely and completed. Training to familiarize staff with the mandates of division and state rules and law is also be- ing undertaken.
F7 Page 13
Timely Payment The 1997-98 Grand Jury determined that payment for foster care was not being received in a timely manner. It was recommended that procedures be implemented to ensure that payment would be made in a timely manner. CPS has assigned a case worker to interface with the eligibility division to make certain that all steps are taken to comply with this requirement.
F8 Page 13
Payment Amount The 1997-98 Grand Jury found that inequities existed in the level of support payments for foster care when Trin- ity County is compared to other nearby counties. It was recommended that a review of foster care payments be made and, if allowed by law, adjustments be made. Foster care payments have been adjusted and are now more closely aligned with those of surrounding coun- ties. Foster families are expressing their appreciation and approval of this change.
F9 Page 13
Counseling The 1997-98 Grand Jury found that requested profes- sional counseling for foster families was not scheduled in a timely manner or in some cases was denied. Rec- ommendations were made for procedures, in this re- gard, to be reviewed and, where necessary, upgraded. CPS has developed a manual that details procedures to be followed when counseling is requested. Regular staff meetings are now held to resolve any problems that ex- ist in this matter.
F10 Page 13
Placement Procedures It was reported to the 1997-98 Grand Jury that juvenile offenders had been placed in foster homes where there were small children. This is against state regulations. It was strongly recommended the CPS, the Sheriff’s de- partment, and the Probation Department review and upgrade the placement procedures with regard to this matter. It was found that this complaint was an isolated case and that procedures to prevent such occurrences were already in place. Better adherence to established poli- cies is a focus of all departments involved.
F11 Page 14
Cross Training The 1997-98 Grand Jury found that there was a lack of qualified cross-trained personnel to assume duties dur- ing employee absences. A cross training program and other procedures were recommended to ensure that the daily operations of the division continue in a timely and efficient manner. Staff changes and low staff level have made this a diffi- cult goal to achieve. Recruitment of a new division su- pervisor and additional staff members has been under- taken and is ongoing.
F12 Page 14
Feedback System The 1997-98 Grand Jury found that there was no mecha- nism built into the county foster care system that would allow foster families to provide feedback as to the qual- ity and quantity of the services provided them by CPS. It was recommended that a formal written instrument be developed and disseminated to each foster family at least on an annual basis. Such an instrument has been developed and will be pro- vided to the foster families by the time this report is published.
F13 Page 14
List of Homes Last year’s Grand Jury found that the list of Licensed Homes for Trinity County, published by CPS, was con- stantly out of date. It was recommended that the list be maintained in a current condition at all times. It was also recommended that in-home visits to foster homes be scheduled in a timely manner to ensure appropriate re- licensing of the homes (see Finding #3). The list of licensed foster care homes has been updated and is now being maintained in a current condition. Timely in-home visits, as required by law, are now being made and proper re-licensing is being accomplished.
F14 Page 14
Management Meetings The 1997-98 Grand Jury reported that administrative personnel at all levels of the CPS foster care program have been lax in ensuring that the program operates in the best interest of the children. It was recommended that a meeting or meetings of representatives from all cognizant departments be convened to initiate correc- tions of the operating problems of the foster care pro- gram. The present Grand Jury has been advised that such meetings have been, and are being, held and that the meetings include representatives of all cognizant de- partments.
F15 Page 14
Security During the course of the present Grand Jury’s investiga- tions, it was determined that potentially serious security issues were present in the CPS offices; i.e. , files were being left on desk tops, there was no lock-up system to secure the files, files were misplaced, there was no sign- out system for files and the alarm system was ineffec- tive. The following changes have been made to rectify these concerns: locks on the CPS building have been changed; there is only one designated janitor; no outside groups meet in the building at night; case files are now entered into the computer system, so less paperwork is required, and confidentiality issues have been cleared with the state and Board of Supervisors. CPS is to be commended for their swift and thorough action on this matter.

Recommendations 15