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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.
Sacramento County Grand Jury
• 2017-2018
Review of Responses to the 2017-2018 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 13 findings
F1
Page 103
CPSU has experienced, compassionate and dedicated staff whose priority is the welfare of the children they serve.
F2
Page 103
The current location of the CPSU is in a high crime neighborhood that places CPSU staff and traumatized youths in undue danger.
F3
Page 103
Since the enactment of SB 855 in 2014, no measurable progress has been made to find suitable options that address the unique treatment and placement needs of the expanded population of high risk children.
F4
Page 103
There is a lack of communication on spending priorities between senior management and the needs of the service providers.
F5
Page 103
CPS and DHHS are still focused on ineffective recruitment strategies rather than considering innovative approaches to gain more placement models for the expanded population it serves.
F6
Page 103
CPS personnel hired to recruit placement opportunities for children are unable to focus their efforts due to other job activities. 101 2017-2018 RECOMMENDATIONS
F7
Page 105
The Audit Committee is comprised of department heads.
F8
Page 105
The Internal Audit Unit, as well as the Department of Finance as a whole, are understaffed in IT support. 103 2017-2018 RECOMMENDATIONS
F9
After voting to award health benefits to Board members, no further action was taken, no policies were created, and no health insurance benefits were awarded to Board members. The Board could institute health benefits for themselves with no further public discussion.
F10
The practice of conducting closed sessions after open sessions at the Board meeting may lead to an uninformed public and forestalls knowledge or comments. This practice does not encourage public engagement.
F11
Candidate pools for Board Member seats are so low that elections are sometimes not required. As a consequence, Board members are appointed by the County Board of Supervisors, denying a voice to the public in selection of those who represent them.
F12
The lack of adequate Board member awareness of regulations, operations, and institutional history can lead to poor decisions on the part of the Board and leads to an over-reliance on the General Manager and staff.
F13
There is a pronounced lack of public oversight of the FRCD, as shown by poorly attended meetings and few Board candidates.
Recommendations 11
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R1Page 104Acknowledge the social workers and supervisors of the CPSU for their outstanding service and dedication.
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R2Page 104Relocate the CPSU to a safer environment.
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R3Page 104Develop a plan and accelerated timeline to increase placement options for all children with immediate needs and children requiring Short Term Residential Treatment Centers.
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R4Page 104Senior management needs to improve transparency and open communication between county policy makers and service providers so that budget allocations better match the needs of Sacramento County foster children.
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R5Page 104Create an analytical model that compares cost effectiveness, resulting in the ability to pro- actively develop and implement alternative models.
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R6Page 104Determine the necessary hiring or utilization of existing staff to allow recruiters to focus exclusively on placement opportunities for children. 2017-2018 RESPONSES The Sacramento County Executive provided responses to the findings and recommendations noted above on September 11, 2018. The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors agrees with all responses provided by the County Executive. The 2018-2019 Sacramento County Grand Jury notes that the required responses are in compliance with PC Section 933 and PC Section 933.05. The Sacramento County Executive reported the following actions:
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R7Page 106Maintain and expand the Audit Committee to include one or two members of the Board of Supervisors. The Board should also consider appointing members of the public to the Audit Committee.
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R8Page 106Improve information technology support for the Internal Audit Unit and the Department of Finance.
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R9Page 106The County Auditor should be a permanent member of the COMPASS Steering Committee. 2017-2018 RESPONSES The Sacramento County Executive provided responses to the finding and recommendations noted above on September 11, 2018. The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors agrees with all responses made by the County Executive. The 2018-2019 Sacramento County Grand Jury notes that the required responses are in compliance with PC Section 933 and PC Section 933.05. The Sacramento County Executive reported the following actions:
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R10FRCD should establish policy, by December 31, 2019, to ensure a programmatic on- boarding process for new Board Members that includes both policy and operations. In addition, FRCD should establish, by December 31, 2019, a web-page with Board policies for public review.
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R11FRCD should, on an ongoing basis, expand its outreach to its ratepayers, in order to increase their engagement with the business and activities of the district. This could include, but is not limited to, increased inserts with ratepayer’s monthly bills, enhanced web interaction, media outreach, such as a periodic column in the Elk Grove Citizen or 89 other avenues, and practical workshops for ratepayers. FRCD should also engage with both the California Special Districts Association and the Institute for Local Government to learn about any other outreach efforts that are possible.