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Extraído del Informe Consolidado

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Mendocino County Grand Jury • 1999-2000

Mendocino County Child Protective Service Emergency Response Unit Child Protective Service (cps) is a division of

Published: December 19, 2000 6 pages
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Findings 11 findings

F1 Page 52
Some Social Workers (SWs) responding to a referral lack CWS training and skills in ER. Response (Social Services): Agree in part. The Department has a training program for new staff and review training for existing staff. The overall shortage of staff with prior Children’s Services experience and the need to move new staff into active duty rapidly can lead to social workers with less than optimal training and skills being on-call to receive referrals. 52 1999-2000 Mendocino County Grand Jury Final Report Response (Board of Supervisors): The Board and Department agree with this finding in part and recognize that it is a critical issue throughout rural counties. The overall shortage of staff with prior Children’s Services experience, coupled with the urgent need for more staff, can lead to social workers with less than optimal training. The Department has a training program for new staff and continually reviews the need for on-going training for existing staff.
F2 Page 53
CPS administrators and staff indicate it is difficult to hire and retain experienced SWs due to stressful job demands and the resulting burnout. Response (Social Services): Agree. In the past six months, out of 16 social workers who left Children’s Services, 12 left to enter private practice or other less demanding positions. Response (Board of Supervisors): The Board agrees based on information supplied by the Department which indicates that 12 of 16 Social Workers who left Child Protection Services in a six month period, did so to go into private practice or to take less demanding assignments elsewhere within County service.
F3 Page 53
Top administrators stated that it is difficult to find SWs with experience in CWS. Response (Social Services): Agree. Finding Social Workers with direct Child Welfare Services experience is a statewide problem, that is of special concern in rural counties. The problem is so acute that the County Welfare Director’s Association, in cooperation with State Merit System, has established a standing committee to address the issues of recruitment and retention of staff. Response (Board of Supervisors): The Board and the Department agree with this finding and note that it is a frequent topic of discussion among rural counties statewide.
F4 Page 53
CPS has recently hired a new training supervisor to provide information about State and Federal guidelines on Child Welfare Services. The training will also include the Department Policies and Procedures, Court procedure and case management process. The department plans that new SWs involved in ER will participate in Emergency Response investigations during the training period. The University of California Davis has been contracted to provide Mendocino County specific training in Ukiah. Response (Social Services): Agree. The Department has made a major commitment to expanding the breadth and depth of training for all staff. 1999-2000 Mendocino County Grand Jury Final Report 53 Response (Board of Supervisors): The Board and the Department agree with this finding. The Board commends the Department for its commitment to expanding the “breadth and depth” of training for its staff.
F5 Page 54
At the time of our oversight, the screener, classified as an Aide, took the initial telephone call, recorded pertinent information and assessed the urgency of the situation. Response (Social Services): Agree. Response (Board of Supervisors): The Board agrees with this finding based on the response of the Department.
F6 Page 54
The Child Welfare SW supervisor determines whether an immediate or 10-day in-person investigation by the ER unit, referral to a community agency or no action at all is appropriate. Response (Social Services): Agree. Response (Board of Supervisors): The Board agrees with this finding based on the response of the Department.
F7 Page 54
The clerks research possible prior complaints and input information into the CWS/CMS computer system. Response (Social Services): Agree. Response (Board of Supervisors): The Board agrees with this finding based on the response of the Department. 54 1999-2000 Mendocino County Grand Jury Final Report
F8 Page 55
State standards regulating caseload assignments for Emergency Response SWs were developed in the early 1980s before the state mandated CWS/CMS Data System was implemented. While the information this system makes available is considered most useful, all staff stated that the current program for data input is extremely cumbersome and requires extra time for SWs to collect and enter information. Response (Social Services): Agree. It is estimated conservatively that the CWS/CMS computer systems increased the workload of social workers by approximately 10%. Response (Board of Supervisors): The Board and the Department agree with this finding.
F9 Page 56
Family and Children's Services Division SWs are on-call on a rotating basis to provide 24-hour coverage to assess children's situations for immediate danger. Response (Social Services): Agree. It should be noted that the stand-by rate is $1.25 per hour and has not been increased many years. Response (Board of Supervisors): The Board and the Department agree with this finding. 10. All changes in placement are made in consultation with the ER Supervisor. Response (Social Services): Agree. Response (Board of Supervisors): The Board and the Department agree with this finding. 11. ER in Ukiah has been divided into two separate units: ER which follows the case through the initial court disposition and the Court Unit which stays with the case for continuing services, that can end with family services or continue until the child is 18. If this division proves successful, it will serve as a model for the remaining CPS offices in the county. Response (Social Services): Agree. Response (Board of Supervisors): The Board and the Department agree with this finding. Comments The Grand Jury commends Child Protective Services and the Emergency Response Unit for initiating a reorganization of their department. The aim of this reorganization is to terminate Emergency Response involvement after initial court action and assign the case to a single Social Worker throughout the time the case is active with the Child Welfare System and thereby promote consistency in case management. 56 1999-2000 Mendocino County Grand Jury Final Report Response (Social Services): Agree. The Department worked with the Child Welfare League of America in 1999 to develop a strategic plan to guide the reorganization and continuing improvement of the Children’s Services Division. Changes will take place over time, but progress is being made in building a strong and effective continuum of services to children and their families in Mendocino County. Response Required Mendocino County Board of Supervisors Response Requested Mendocino County Department of Social Services 1999-2000 Mendocino County Grand Jury Final Report 57
F10 Page 56
All changes in placement are made in consultation with the ER Supervisor. Response (Social Services): Agree. Response (Board of Supervisors): The Board and the Department agree with this finding.
F11 Page 56
ER in Ukiah has been divided into two separate units: ER which follows the case through the initial court disposition and the Court Unit which stays with the case for continuing services, that can end with family services or continue until the child is 18. If this division proves successful, it will serve as a model for the remaining CPS offices in the county. Response (Social Services): Agree. Response (Board of Supervisors): The Board and the Department agree with this finding. Comments The Grand Jury commends Child Protective Services and the Emergency Response Unit for initiating a reorganization of their department. The aim of this reorganization is to terminate Emergency Response involvement after initial court action and assign the case to a single Social Worker throughout the time the case is active with the Child Welfare System and thereby promote consistency in case management. 56 1999-2000 Mendocino County Grand Jury Final Report Response (Social Services): Agree. The Department worked with the Child Welfare League of America in 1999 to develop a strategic plan to guide the reorganization and continuing improvement of the Children’s Services Division. Changes will take place over time, but progress is being made in building a strong and effective continuum of services to children and their families in Mendocino County. Response Required Mendocino County Board of Supervisors Response Requested Mendocino County Department of Social Services 1999-2000 Mendocino County Grand Jury Final Report 57

Recommendations 4

Comments 2

No Responses Found 1

Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.

Mendocino County County