They Are All Children: Addressing the Inequity in the Resources Available for Orange County’s Most Vulnerable Children

The Orangewood Chil- Children’s Home caused by the dren’s Home can continue to lot splitting. Responses to Recommendation deliver the services necessary

The Orangewood Chil- cer. Responses to F.1 through F.3 Recommendation R.2 are required dren’s Home operation could 2008-2009 Orange County Grand Jury from the Board of Supervisors, and (2) The respondent disagrees the future, with a timeframe requested from the Probation De- wholly or partially with the for implementation. partment and the Chief Executive finding, in which case the (3) The recommendation Officer. Responses to Recommenda- response shall specify the requires further analysis, with tion R.3 are required from the Board portion of the finding that is an explanation and the scope of Supervisors, and requested from disputed and shall include an and parameters of an analysis the Social Services Agency, and the explanation of the reasons or study, and a timeframe for Chief Executive Officer. therefore. the matter to be prepared for Required Responses 2. For purposes of subdivision discussion by the officer or (b) of Section 933, as to each head of the agency or de- The California Penal Code speci- grand jury recommendation, partment being investigated fies the required permissible respons- the responding person or entity or reviewed, including the es to the findings and recommenda- shall report one of the follow- governing body of the public tions contained in the report. The ing actions: agency when applicable. This specific sections are quoted below: (1) The recommendation timeframe shall not exceed §933.05 has been implemented, with six months from the date of 1. For purposes of Subdivision a summary regarding the publication of the grand jury (b) of Section 933, as to each implemented action. report. grand jury finding, the respond- (2) The recommendation has (4) The recommendation will ing person or entity shall indicate not yet been implemented, not be implemented because one of the following: but will be implemented in it is not warranted or is not (1) The respondent agrees with reasonable, with an explana- the finding. tion therefore. Page 0 2008-2009 Orange County Grand Jury

The Probation Department benefactors will also recognize the Presiding Judge of the Superior has an immediate need for that a high percentage of the WIC Court. Based on the findings, the expanded facilities for Juvenile §600 delinquent children of Orange 2008-2009 Orange County Grand Hall, the Youth Leadership County also have backgrounds that Jury makes the following recom- Academy, and the Youth Guid- include abuse and neglect and that mendations: ance Center. these children are also, in spite

A reduction in the facili- Juvenile Hall and/or the Youth nia Penal Code sections 933 and ties and excess staffing of the Leadership Academy and/or the 933.05, each finding will be re- Orangewood Children’s Home Youth Guidance Center. sponded to by the government will save substantial dollars entity to which it is addressed. The without compromising its care R.3: The Board of Supervisors responses are to be submitted to for abused, abandoned, and direct that a detailed examina- the Presiding Judge of the Supe- neglected children. tion of staffing and finances at rior Court. The 2008-2009 Orange Orangewood Children’s Home County Grand Jury has arrived at F.8: The new Tustin Family be conducted by both the Social the following findings: Center can accommodate ser- Services Agency and the county vice reductions at Orangewood financial oversight staff.