📋
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.
Lake County Grand Jury
• 2007-2008
Health and Social Services Committee Reports
⚠️ 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.
Recommendations 939
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R1Page 99The 2008-2009 Grand Jury do a follow-up oversight of Friday Night Live to see what progress has been made. 92 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee Child Protective Services Indian Child Welfare Act Oversight
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R2Page 102Unmarried and under the age of 18.
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R3Page 102A member of a Federally recognized Indian tribe or eligible for membership in a Federally recognized Indian tribe.
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R4Page 102The biological child of a member of a Federally recognized Indian tribe.
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R5Page 103The progress seen this year has been significant.
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R6Page 103According to Lake County DSS, the following statistics regarding the local Native American population as of March 2008 are: o Approximately 3.1% of the county’s population is American Indian and Alaskan Native. o 9.6% of ICWA eligible children are in foster care. o 10.0% of ICWA eligible children are in family maintenance.
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R7Page 103CPS and ICWA Representatives worked together to finalize and update the Lake County CPS Protocol for ICWA cases: “Policy and Procedures Manual for the Indian Child Welfare Act”.
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R8Page 103There are social workers that specialize in ICWA cases that now regularly attend the monthly Roundtables.
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R9Page 103ICWA Representatives have indicated that Indian students do not feel welcome or comfortable in the present school system. 96 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee
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R10Page 104One ICWA Representative and a member of a local tribe stated that there were only 80 members of the tribe left; so, it is important that the tribe’s children stay in school and not be lost to alcohol or drugs.
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R11Page 104The Roundtable is reaching out to school districts in hopes of educating the districts about Indian customs and cultural differences.
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R12Page 104Continue to build on the progress and cooperation that has been accomplished this year between CPS and the Indian Community.
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R13Page 104Establish a working relationship between the School Districts and the Indian Community.
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R14Page 104Lake County Office of Education 60 days
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R15Director of DSS via Board of Supervisors 90 days 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 97 Health & Social Services Committee 98 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee Child Protective Services – Mock Cases
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R16Page 108The MDIC provides for level heads during crisis events.
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R17Page 108A petition must be presented to the court within 48 hours (weekends do not count).
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R18Page 108If a petition is not filed within 48 hours then CPS must release the child within 24 hours.
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R19Page 108A jurisdictional hearing is held to determine if the allegations in the petition are true.
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R20Page 108A dispositional hearing is where it is determined if the child will be made a dependant of the juvenile court, a placement for the minor is made, and services for the parent/guardian are generally offered.
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R21Page 108Family reunification is the goal; however, concurrent planning is made if reunification fails.
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R22Page 108There are many opportunities during the process to change the direction of a case.
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R23Page 108If CPS employed adequate foreign language staffing, an assessment in the second mock case could have been made sooner.
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R24Page 108CPS have an adequate amount of translators available at all times.
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R25Page 108Continue educating the Grand Jury and public with proactive offerings of practical applications of DSS policies.
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R26Page 108Director of Social Services via Board of Supervisors (90 days) 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 101 Health & Social Services Committee 102 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee The Ford Street Project Oversight
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R27Page 110The Ford Street Project is a non-profit organization with three directors and a supportive staff of ten.
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R28Page 110The Ford Street Project provides shelter, housing, substance abuse treatment, and employment services to the homeless, addicted, and disabled of Mendocino County.
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R29Page 110The organization has been serving Mendocino County since September 1974. It began serving the homeless population in 1982.
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R30Page 110County contracts with Mental Health, Social Services, Public Health, Sheriff’s Department, and the division of Alcohol and Other Drugs Services (AODS) accounts for nearly half of Ford Street’s annual budget of 1.75 million dollars.
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R31Ford Street operates in three basic areas: housing, drug and alcohol treatment, and job training/development. 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 103 Health & Social Services Committee
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R32Page 111There are no doctors or nurses on staff, therefore, no prescriptions are written on site.
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R33Page 111Detoxification services are a component of the Residential Treatment Program (RTP).
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R34Page 111Ford Street clients are not accepted into the program for detox unless first cleared by a medical doctor.
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R35Page 111The permanent shelter is a year round program located at 201 Brush Street in Ukiah.
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R36Page 111The facility has a sliding scale for self-paid low-income clients. Client costs are $100.00 per day and money comes from AODS, Mental Health, self-paid clients and contributions.
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R37Staff must be registered Addiction Specialists. Specialists require a two year course certification through one of the state certification agencies. Most staff have had addiction problems of their own in the past, and must be drug free for a minimum of one year before becoming counselors.
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R38Page 111The center has a nutritionist on staff; however, clients prepare the meals.
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R39Page 111Average client population ranges between 20-25.
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R40Page 111The normal stay is three to five days, but may extend up to 30- 180 days.
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R41Page 111Male and female clients have separate dormitories.
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R42Page 111Any client caught with drugs or alcohol is expelled and cannot return for 90 days.
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R43AODS, the Department of Mental Health, the Parole Department along with families and walk-ins are sources of clients.
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R44Page 111Lake County AODS has a contract with Ford Street for services and beds. The contract holds one bed at all times and can use more if needed.
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R45Page 111Challenges in establishing a detox center in Lake County are funding, suitable location and adequate staff.
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R46Page 111A center in Lake County would be of great benefit.
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R47None 104 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee Group Health Insurance Committee
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R48Page 112An open enrollment had just concluded.
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R49Page 112Discussions of brokers for medical insurance coverage for the 2009 bids were named.
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R50Page 112Repayment of a loan from the General Fund was occurring quicker than originally planned.
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R51None 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 105 Health & Social Services Committee 106 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee New Beginnings
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R52Page 115New Beginnings contracts with Alcohol and Other Drug Services (AODS).
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R53Page 115New Beginnings initial budget was $459,102.00.
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R54Page 115The program director expressed the importance of proper billing practices and the fear that if AODS did not follow those procedures New Beginnings would have to repay monies given them.
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R55Page 115A recent Drug Medical audit pronounced New Beginnings the fifth best agency in the state for their record keeping procedures.
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R56Page 115AODS' payment of invoices is erratic, and at one point they were $119,285.14 in arrears, making it hard for this agency to remain in operation.
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R57Page 115LCCAA tried unsuccessfully to obtain the services of a grant writer.
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R58Page 115New Beginnings referrals come from Cal Works, CPS, AODS, and Lake County courts to name a few as well as self- referred clients.
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R59Page 115New Beginnings' mission is "to provide an atmosphere of unconditional positive regard with the belief that respect and encouragement can be the catalyst necessary for transformation."
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R60Page 115The staff includes a program director, program coordinator, certified drug counselors, interns, child psychologist, office manager, cook, childcare, and transportation employees.
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R61Page 115To graduate from the Perinatal Day Treatment (PDT) program, one must complete 180 sessions and courses in Alcohol and Other Drug Education, Domestic Violence, Anger Management, Parenting, Nutrition, Self-esteem, Relapse Prevention, and Relationship Issues.
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R62Page 115Childcare is provided for clients in the PDT program.
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R63Page 115Breakfast and lunch for children and lunch for women is provided for all programs.
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R64Page 115Transportation is provided to and from day treatment, court, doctor's appointments, Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Alcohol Anonymous (AA), and for job and housing searches.
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R65Page 115Clients are helped with resumes to facilitate them in finding jobs. 108 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee
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R66Page 116The Transitional Living Center (TLC) is a clean and sober living environment requiring a six-month commitment. The staff teaches skills in conflict resolution, positive communication skills, budgeting, shopping, nutrition, cooking, and cleaning.
-
R67Page 116Clients receiving financial assistance pay a small fee to augment the TLC funding source, and the remaining monies are deposited into an escrow account until they leave the program.
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R68Page 116Up to eight women and their children can live at TLC.
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R69Page 116Children taken by CPS may be re-unified with their mothers because of the programs offered by New Beginnings.
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R70Page 116The Grandparents for At Risk Children and Adolescence program, mentors mothers and children.
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R71Page 116Services provided to Konocti Community Day School are: daily groups, one-on-one counseling, treatment planning, life skills, self-esteem building, and referrals to other service agencies.
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R72Page 116To promote New Beginnings, place articles in newspapers explaining their program services and accomplishments.
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R73Page 116Hire a grant writer to take advantage of grants to make them solvent, and less dependent on government monies that are sometimes in arrears.
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R74Department Head via Board of Supervisors 90 days 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 109 Health & Social Services Committee 110 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee Public Health-Jail Medical
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R75Page 118The employees of CFMG are not county employees and are not unionized.
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R76Page 118Inmates are given a handbook that explains medical services available and how to obtain the services.
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R77Page 118A local doctor is the lead doctor for the facility and is on site once a week to review records and discuss cases with the Physician Assistant (PA) or Registered Nurse (RN).
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R78Page 118The PA is on-site Monday through Thursday from 9-4. A dentist is on-site two days per month for a total of 16 hours, and sees between 20-30 inmates during those two days. A psychiatric RN is on-site four days a week.
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R79Page 118Twenty-three percent of the medical cases are psychiatric or drug related as compared to seventy-seven percent of the medical cases. However, the twenty-three percent group takes more time to deal with than the seventy-seven percent medical group.
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R80Page 119There is a $3.00 charge for medical services every time an inmate receives medical treatment. When an inmate is unable to pay, the service is still given, and when the inmate receives money the fee is then collected. In instances when there is no money to be collected from the inmate, the county pays the charges.
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R81Page 119There are no charges for prescription medications given to inmates.
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R82Page 119In cases when an individual is detained due to intoxication, the individual is placed in the “sobering cell” and monitored.
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R83Page 119Upon inmates being booked, medical conditions are assessed by the officers on duty, and if needed, by the nurse. The doctor may be called if necessary.
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R84Page 119There are 10-12 suicide threats per week, but only one or two are actually attempted. When a threat is received, officers check on the inmate every 15 minutes and the nurse checks every four hours. There are nurses on-site 24/7.
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R85Page 119When an inmate is hospitalized, CFMG pays for the first $15,000.00 of the cost with the county paying the remainder.
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R86Page 119In the event an inmate requests a specific physician, the inmate is responsible for the fee and the cost of transportation to receive the treatment. This request seldom occurs.
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R87Page 119An average of $10,000.00 is provided by CFMG each month. The contract is based on 280 inmates. If the census exceeds this amount, CFMG receives more money, in the event the census is lower, CFMG pays money back to the facility.
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R88Page 119The medical services lacking in the jail and juvenile hall are a surgery center and a dialysis center.
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R89Page 119There is no mental discharge planner on site.
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R90Page 119Someone from mental health contacts the inmate almost daily.
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R91Page 119CFMG has a quarterly quality assurance meeting and has invited representatives from Sutter Lakeside Hospital to attend.
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R92Page 119The Mental Health Director is also invited to the quarterly meetings and has only attended one or two in the past and no longer attends.
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R93Page 119The response to calls to the Mental Health Crisis Team is very slow, sometimes, taking two to three days to respond. 112 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee
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R94Page 120The Mental Health Director attends quarterly meetings.
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R95Page 120Make assessments in a timely fashion.
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R96Page 120A Sutter Lakeside Hospital representative attend the quarterly meetings.
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R97Page 120Director of Public Health via Board of Supervisors 90 days 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 113 Health & Social Services Committee 114 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee Child Protective Services – Petitions Report
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R98Page 124Other County Grand Juries within the State of California have been granted access to CPS files by court order.2
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R99Page 124The 2008-2009 Grand Jury continue the process of obtaining CPS records for the three complaints named in the petitions. Grand Jury Final Reports from California counties relative to Child Protective Services; San Diego County, Solano County. 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 117 Health & Social Services Committee 118 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 119 Health & Social Services Committee 120 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee Alcohol and Other Drugs Services Ethics Violation Complaint
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R100Page 128Engaging in any relationship with a client before the client has been discharged for two years is a violation of Lake County’s Code of Conduct.
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R101Page 128A program (local) shall report to the Department (state) any alleged violation by a registrant or certified counselor within 24 hours of becoming aware of said violation. AODS Code of Conduct 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 121 Health & Social Services Committee
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R102Page 129The Administrator of AODS does not possess the certification that is required for the job: “Current California certification as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor”.
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R103Page 129The counselor responsible for reporting the inappropriate conduct to the Administrator did so in early July 2007.
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R104Page 129Other employees stated knowing about the inappropriate conduct in July 2007 and finally sent an anonymous letter to the state department of AODS on August 10, 2007. A second letter went to the Administrator on September 6, 2007.
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R105Page 129One employee said, “You can’t imagine what is happening there. It shatters everything we try to do. We have to keep secrets while telling clients to open up.” The stress level is very high.
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R106Page 129The morale at AODS is very low with an Administrator who is known to be verbally abusive, vindictive, difficult to work with, and erratic.
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R107Page 129The Administrator did not notify the State Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs or the counselor’s certifying organization within the 24 hours mandated by the State regulations.
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R108Page 129The Administrator stated learning of the inappropriate conduct on July 26, 2007.
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R109Page 129The counselor was put on administrative leave September 10, 2007.
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R110Page 129The counselor was allowed to resign and did so to the Director of Mental Health on September 20, 2007.
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R111Page 129The counselor became vested with the County of Lake on September 16, 2007.
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R112Page 129The Administrator of AODS notified the counselor’s certifying agency of the inappropriate conduct and that the counselor had resigned his position via letter on October 3, 2007.
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R113Page 129Hire a properly certified and human relationship skilled person to replace the current Administrator.
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R114Page 129Make every effort to cultivate employee trust and smooth over the damage that has occurred.
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R115Department Head via Board of Supervisors 90 days 122 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee Child Protective Services: Complaint 1
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R116Page 130The complainant, who was the paternal grandmother, was trying to become the foster parent to the youngest grandson.
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R117Page 130The complainant was already the guardian for an older grandchild.
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R118Page 130The birth mother had been in and out of the younger child’s life causing instability. The younger grandchild stayed with the complainant often when the mother was away.
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R119Page 130The complainant believed the mother’s behavior was becoming detrimental to the child and placed the child into the CPS system with the intention of becoming the foster parent for the child. The complainant stated they did not know this action would cause confusion and trauma in the family.
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R120Page 130A problem arose regarding a 25-30 year-old criminal history. The complainant stated that CPS did not provide a copy of the Department of Justice criminal record. The complainant alleged that this violated CPS Policies and Procedures regarding background checks. 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 123 Health & Social Services Committee
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R121Page 131The complainant stated that none of the 25-30 year- old offenses would “bar the individual from ever being approved for placement of the child”. The “five-year restriction” did not apply to the 25-30 year old criminal records.
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R122Page 131The complainant believed CPS had complete “say so” over the foster care approval process, only to find out CPS contracts with other agencies for foster home approval.
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R123The complainant allegedly took in another child willingly during this time at the request of CPS.
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R124The complainant believes that overnight visits suddenly were stopped because CPS learned that the complainant and the foster family were working together without including the social workers.
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R125The complainants issues were: o Frustration and confusion. o Feelings of “us against them”. o The confidentiality laws regarding protected juveniles added to the frustration and seemed unnecessary to the complainant. o The rules, policies, and procedures appeared more important than the best interests of the children. o What looked like a “cookie cutter decision”, without flexibility, felt more detrimental in the long run.
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R126Page 131Only the complainant’s version of events is unrestricted and available for this report. Consequently, all Facts/Findings are based on information provided by the complainant.
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R127Page 131The younger grandson is under CPS custody.
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R128Page 131CPS referred the case to the state for an exemption hearing for the complainant and the complainant’s husband. CPS revised the policy for this case and handled the exemption hearing at the county level. 124 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee
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R129Page 132Develop a simple and informative outline of explaining the process that families must follow to become a foster parent.
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R130Page 132Inform applicants what information can not be released regarding foster children.
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R131Page 132Director of the Department of Social Services via Board of Supervisors (90 days) 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 125 Health & Social Services Committee
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R132CPS placed the complainant’s grandchildren in emergency foster care when the complainant’s daughter, the biological mother, was arrested.
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R133Page 133CPS did not notify any of the extended family of the children’s placement into foster care.
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R134When the complainant learned of the daughter’s incarceration, the complainant called CPS. During this conversation, the complainant learned from CPS the grandchildren were in foster care and nothing could be done until the next morning. Conducting interviews with CPS but maintaining anonymity of the complainant in the scenarios made asking questions difficult without pinpointing follow-up questions. This type of complaint was very difficult and precarious to investigate. Without the ability to ask specific questions, it is difficult to identify the correct course of action. 126 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee
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R135Page 134The committee could only hear one side of this complaint due to State Mandated confidentiality laws protecting juveniles.
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R136Page 134After reading letters received by the complainant from the grandchild, the letters appeared to contain mentally advanced content that may have been written or dictated by an adult.
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R137Page 134The children were appropriately removed from the biological mother at the time of the arrest and incarceration.
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R138Page 134Develop a follow-up system to advise extended family of the disposition of juveniles of arrested/incarcerated individuals as a courtesy even if the children will not be placed with that relative.
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R139Page 132Director of the Department of Social Services via Board of Supervisors (90 days) 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 127 Health & Social Services Committee
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R140Page 135Initially, the complainant’s daughter was in jail and the children had been living with the complainant. The older children were teenagers and the younger children were just starting school.
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R141Shortly thereafter the complainant’s health began deteriorating and the children were released by the complainant to the foster care system via CPS.
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R142Page 135The first foster parents seemed to be the perfect match, agreeing to allow the complainant to remain an active involved grandmother.
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R143Page 135The complainant stated that the foster/adoptive couple curtailed the complainant from visits without advanced notice.
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R144Page 135Both children began to act out in various ways and the complainant tried intervening.
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R145Page 135The children told the complainant that the foster parents were mean, possibly abusive, and sent the children to bed without dinner.
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R146Page 135After questioning the children about these incidents, the complainant expressed concerns to CPS about the foster family.
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R147The children were moved to a new foster family. 128 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee
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R148Page 136The new foster family was willing to continue visits with the grandmother.
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R149Page 136The complainant, foster family, and children were becoming an extended family. Discussions of family outings with the complainant and adoptive parents is occurring.
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R150Page 136The adoptive agency advised the grandmother that in order to give the adoptive parents time to “bond” with the adoptive family, space needed to be made in the grandmother/grandchild relationship.
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R151Page 136The grandmother did not like being advised to stay away from the children for “bonding” purposes.
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R152Page 136The grandmother did not understand the need for supervised visits. Recommendations
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R153Page 136Provide counseling for guardians/relatives interested in placing juveniles in the foster family/adoptive agency process.
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R154Page 136Provide specific policy notification regarding visitation.
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R155Page 132Director of the Department of Social Services via Board of Supervisors (90 days) 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 129 Health & Social Services Committee 130 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Cache Creek Dam Calpine Geothermal Code Enforcement Community Development Agency Lampson Field Airport Public Works Department Special Districts Taylor Observatory Vector Control-Mosquito Abatement PLANNING & PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OVERSIGHTS Citizen’s Complaint on Building & Use Permits Citizens Low Water Pressure Complaint
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R156Page 104Continue to build on the progress and cooperation that has been accomplished this year between CPS and the Indian Community.
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R157Page 104Establish a working relationship between the School Districts and the Indian Community.
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R158Page 104Lake County Office of Education 60 days
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R159Director of DSS via Board of Supervisors 90 days 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 97 Health & Social Services Committee 98 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee Child Protective Services – Mock Cases
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R160Page 108The MDIC provides for level heads during crisis events.
-
R161Page 108A petition must be presented to the court within 48 hours (weekends do not count).
-
R162Page 108If a petition is not filed within 48 hours then CPS must release the child within 24 hours.
-
R163Page 108A jurisdictional hearing is held to determine if the allegations in the petition are true.
-
R164Page 108A dispositional hearing is where it is determined if the child will be made a dependant of the juvenile court, a placement for the minor is made, and services for the parent/guardian are generally offered.
-
R165Page 108Family reunification is the goal; however, concurrent planning is made if reunification fails.
-
R166Page 108There are many opportunities during the process to change the direction of a case.
-
R167Page 108If CPS employed adequate foreign language staffing, an assessment in the second mock case could have been made sooner.
-
R168Page 108CPS have an adequate amount of translators available at all times.
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R169Page 108Continue educating the Grand Jury and public with proactive offerings of practical applications of DSS policies.
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R170Page 108Director of Social Services via Board of Supervisors (90 days) 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 101 Health & Social Services Committee 102 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee The Ford Street Project Oversight
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R171Page 110The Ford Street Project is a non-profit organization with three directors and a supportive staff of ten.
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R172Page 110The Ford Street Project provides shelter, housing, substance abuse treatment, and employment services to the homeless, addicted, and disabled of Mendocino County.
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R173Page 110The organization has been serving Mendocino County since September 1974. It began serving the homeless population in 1982.
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R174Page 110County contracts with Mental Health, Social Services, Public Health, Sheriff’s Department, and the division of Alcohol and Other Drugs Services (AODS) accounts for nearly half of Ford Street’s annual budget of 1.75 million dollars.
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R175Ford Street operates in three basic areas: housing, drug and alcohol treatment, and job training/development. 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 103 Health & Social Services Committee
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R176Page 111There are no doctors or nurses on staff, therefore, no prescriptions are written on site.
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R177Page 111Detoxification services are a component of the Residential Treatment Program (RTP).
-
R178Page 111Ford Street clients are not accepted into the program for detox unless first cleared by a medical doctor.
-
R179Page 111The permanent shelter is a year round program located at 201 Brush Street in Ukiah.
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R180Page 111The facility has a sliding scale for self-paid low-income clients. Client costs are $100.00 per day and money comes from AODS, Mental Health, self-paid clients and contributions.
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R181Staff must be registered Addiction Specialists. Specialists require a two year course certification through one of the state certification agencies. Most staff have had addiction problems of their own in the past, and must be drug free for a minimum of one year before becoming counselors.
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R182Page 111The center has a nutritionist on staff; however, clients prepare the meals.
-
R183Page 111Average client population ranges between 20-25.
-
R184Page 111The normal stay is three to five days, but may extend up to 30- 180 days.
-
R185Page 111Male and female clients have separate dormitories.
-
R186Page 111Any client caught with drugs or alcohol is expelled and cannot return for 90 days.
-
R187AODS, the Department of Mental Health, the Parole Department along with families and walk-ins are sources of clients.
-
R188Page 111Lake County AODS has a contract with Ford Street for services and beds. The contract holds one bed at all times and can use more if needed.
-
R189Page 111Challenges in establishing a detox center in Lake County are funding, suitable location and adequate staff.
-
R190Page 111A center in Lake County would be of great benefit.
-
R191None 104 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee Group Health Insurance Committee
-
R192Page 112An open enrollment had just concluded.
-
R193Page 112Discussions of brokers for medical insurance coverage for the 2009 bids were named.
-
R194Page 112Repayment of a loan from the General Fund was occurring quicker than originally planned.
-
R195None 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 105 Health & Social Services Committee 106 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee New Beginnings
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R196Page 115New Beginnings contracts with Alcohol and Other Drug Services (AODS).
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R197Page 115New Beginnings initial budget was $459,102.00.
-
R198Page 115The program director expressed the importance of proper billing practices and the fear that if AODS did not follow those procedures New Beginnings would have to repay monies given them.
-
R199Page 115A recent Drug Medical audit pronounced New Beginnings the fifth best agency in the state for their record keeping procedures.
-
R200Page 115AODS' payment of invoices is erratic, and at one point they were $119,285.14 in arrears, making it hard for this agency to remain in operation.
-
R201Page 115LCCAA tried unsuccessfully to obtain the services of a grant writer.
-
R202Page 115New Beginnings referrals come from Cal Works, CPS, AODS, and Lake County courts to name a few as well as self- referred clients.
-
R203Page 115New Beginnings' mission is "to provide an atmosphere of unconditional positive regard with the belief that respect and encouragement can be the catalyst necessary for transformation."
-
R204Page 115The staff includes a program director, program coordinator, certified drug counselors, interns, child psychologist, office manager, cook, childcare, and transportation employees.
-
R205Page 115To graduate from the Perinatal Day Treatment (PDT) program, one must complete 180 sessions and courses in Alcohol and Other Drug Education, Domestic Violence, Anger Management, Parenting, Nutrition, Self-esteem, Relapse Prevention, and Relationship Issues.
-
R206Page 115Childcare is provided for clients in the PDT program.
-
R207Page 115Breakfast and lunch for children and lunch for women is provided for all programs.
-
R208Page 115Transportation is provided to and from day treatment, court, doctor's appointments, Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Alcohol Anonymous (AA), and for job and housing searches.
-
R209Page 115Clients are helped with resumes to facilitate them in finding jobs. 108 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee
-
R210Page 116The Transitional Living Center (TLC) is a clean and sober living environment requiring a six-month commitment. The staff teaches skills in conflict resolution, positive communication skills, budgeting, shopping, nutrition, cooking, and cleaning.
-
R211Page 116Clients receiving financial assistance pay a small fee to augment the TLC funding source, and the remaining monies are deposited into an escrow account until they leave the program.
-
R212Page 116Up to eight women and their children can live at TLC.
-
R213Page 116Children taken by CPS may be re-unified with their mothers because of the programs offered by New Beginnings.
-
R214Page 116The Grandparents for At Risk Children and Adolescence program, mentors mothers and children.
-
R215Page 116Services provided to Konocti Community Day School are: daily groups, one-on-one counseling, treatment planning, life skills, self-esteem building, and referrals to other service agencies.
-
R216Page 116To promote New Beginnings, place articles in newspapers explaining their program services and accomplishments.
-
R217Page 116Hire a grant writer to take advantage of grants to make them solvent, and less dependent on government monies that are sometimes in arrears.
-
R218Department Head via Board of Supervisors 90 days 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 109 Health & Social Services Committee 110 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee Public Health-Jail Medical
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R219Page 118The employees of CFMG are not county employees and are not unionized.
-
R220Page 118Inmates are given a handbook that explains medical services available and how to obtain the services.
-
R221Page 118A local doctor is the lead doctor for the facility and is on site once a week to review records and discuss cases with the Physician Assistant (PA) or Registered Nurse (RN).
-
R222Page 118The PA is on-site Monday through Thursday from 9-4. A dentist is on-site two days per month for a total of 16 hours, and sees between 20-30 inmates during those two days. A psychiatric RN is on-site four days a week.
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R223Page 118Twenty-three percent of the medical cases are psychiatric or drug related as compared to seventy-seven percent of the medical cases. However, the twenty-three percent group takes more time to deal with than the seventy-seven percent medical group.
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R224Page 119There is a $3.00 charge for medical services every time an inmate receives medical treatment. When an inmate is unable to pay, the service is still given, and when the inmate receives money the fee is then collected. In instances when there is no money to be collected from the inmate, the county pays the charges.
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R225Page 119There are no charges for prescription medications given to inmates.
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R226Page 119In cases when an individual is detained due to intoxication, the individual is placed in the “sobering cell” and monitored.
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R227Page 119Upon inmates being booked, medical conditions are assessed by the officers on duty, and if needed, by the nurse. The doctor may be called if necessary.
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R228Page 119There are 10-12 suicide threats per week, but only one or two are actually attempted. When a threat is received, officers check on the inmate every 15 minutes and the nurse checks every four hours. There are nurses on-site 24/7.
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R229Page 119When an inmate is hospitalized, CFMG pays for the first $15,000.00 of the cost with the county paying the remainder.
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R230Page 119In the event an inmate requests a specific physician, the inmate is responsible for the fee and the cost of transportation to receive the treatment. This request seldom occurs.
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R231Page 119An average of $10,000.00 is provided by CFMG each month. The contract is based on 280 inmates. If the census exceeds this amount, CFMG receives more money, in the event the census is lower, CFMG pays money back to the facility.
-
R232Page 119The medical services lacking in the jail and juvenile hall are a surgery center and a dialysis center.
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R233Page 119There is no mental discharge planner on site.
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R234Page 119Someone from mental health contacts the inmate almost daily.
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R235Page 119CFMG has a quarterly quality assurance meeting and has invited representatives from Sutter Lakeside Hospital to attend.
-
R236Page 119The Mental Health Director is also invited to the quarterly meetings and has only attended one or two in the past and no longer attends.
-
R237Page 119The response to calls to the Mental Health Crisis Team is very slow, sometimes, taking two to three days to respond. 112 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee
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R238Page 120The Mental Health Director attends quarterly meetings.
-
R239Page 120Make assessments in a timely fashion.
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R240Page 120A Sutter Lakeside Hospital representative attend the quarterly meetings.
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R241Page 120Director of Public Health via Board of Supervisors 90 days 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 113 Health & Social Services Committee 114 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee Child Protective Services – Petitions Report
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R242Page 124Other County Grand Juries within the State of California have been granted access to CPS files by court order.2
-
R243Page 124The 2008-2009 Grand Jury continue the process of obtaining CPS records for the three complaints named in the petitions. Grand Jury Final Reports from California counties relative to Child Protective Services; San Diego County, Solano County. 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 117 Health & Social Services Committee 118 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 119 Health & Social Services Committee 120 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee Alcohol and Other Drugs Services Ethics Violation Complaint
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R244Page 128Engaging in any relationship with a client before the client has been discharged for two years is a violation of Lake County’s Code of Conduct.
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R245Page 128A program (local) shall report to the Department (state) any alleged violation by a registrant or certified counselor within 24 hours of becoming aware of said violation. AODS Code of Conduct 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 121 Health & Social Services Committee
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R246Page 129The Administrator of AODS does not possess the certification that is required for the job: “Current California certification as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor”.
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R247Page 129The counselor responsible for reporting the inappropriate conduct to the Administrator did so in early July 2007.
-
R248Page 129Other employees stated knowing about the inappropriate conduct in July 2007 and finally sent an anonymous letter to the state department of AODS on August 10, 2007. A second letter went to the Administrator on September 6, 2007.
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R249Page 129One employee said, “You can’t imagine what is happening there. It shatters everything we try to do. We have to keep secrets while telling clients to open up.” The stress level is very high.
-
R250Page 129The morale at AODS is very low with an Administrator who is known to be verbally abusive, vindictive, difficult to work with, and erratic.
-
R251Page 129The Administrator did not notify the State Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs or the counselor’s certifying organization within the 24 hours mandated by the State regulations.
-
R252Page 129The Administrator stated learning of the inappropriate conduct on July 26, 2007.
-
R253Page 129The counselor was put on administrative leave September 10, 2007.
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R254Page 129The counselor was allowed to resign and did so to the Director of Mental Health on September 20, 2007.
-
R255Page 129The counselor became vested with the County of Lake on September 16, 2007.
-
R256Page 129The Administrator of AODS notified the counselor’s certifying agency of the inappropriate conduct and that the counselor had resigned his position via letter on October 3, 2007.
-
R257Page 129Hire a properly certified and human relationship skilled person to replace the current Administrator.
-
R258Page 129Make every effort to cultivate employee trust and smooth over the damage that has occurred.
-
R259Department Head via Board of Supervisors 90 days 122 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee Child Protective Services: Complaint 1
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R260Page 130The complainant, who was the paternal grandmother, was trying to become the foster parent to the youngest grandson.
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R261Page 130The complainant was already the guardian for an older grandchild.
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R262Page 130The birth mother had been in and out of the younger child’s life causing instability. The younger grandchild stayed with the complainant often when the mother was away.
-
R263Page 130The complainant believed the mother’s behavior was becoming detrimental to the child and placed the child into the CPS system with the intention of becoming the foster parent for the child. The complainant stated they did not know this action would cause confusion and trauma in the family.
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R264Page 130A problem arose regarding a 25-30 year-old criminal history. The complainant stated that CPS did not provide a copy of the Department of Justice criminal record. The complainant alleged that this violated CPS Policies and Procedures regarding background checks. 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 123 Health & Social Services Committee
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R265Page 131The complainant stated that none of the 25-30 year- old offenses would “bar the individual from ever being approved for placement of the child”. The “five-year restriction” did not apply to the 25-30 year old criminal records.
-
R266Page 131The complainant believed CPS had complete “say so” over the foster care approval process, only to find out CPS contracts with other agencies for foster home approval.
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R267The complainant allegedly took in another child willingly during this time at the request of CPS.
-
R268The complainant believes that overnight visits suddenly were stopped because CPS learned that the complainant and the foster family were working together without including the social workers.
-
R269The complainants issues were: o Frustration and confusion. o Feelings of “us against them”. o The confidentiality laws regarding protected juveniles added to the frustration and seemed unnecessary to the complainant. o The rules, policies, and procedures appeared more important than the best interests of the children. o What looked like a “cookie cutter decision”, without flexibility, felt more detrimental in the long run.
-
R270Page 131Only the complainant’s version of events is unrestricted and available for this report. Consequently, all Facts/Findings are based on information provided by the complainant.
-
R271Page 131The younger grandson is under CPS custody.
-
R272Page 131CPS referred the case to the state for an exemption hearing for the complainant and the complainant’s husband. CPS revised the policy for this case and handled the exemption hearing at the county level. 124 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee
-
R273Page 132Develop a simple and informative outline of explaining the process that families must follow to become a foster parent.
-
R274Page 132Inform applicants what information can not be released regarding foster children.
-
R275Page 132Director of the Department of Social Services via Board of Supervisors (90 days) 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 125 Health & Social Services Committee
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R276CPS placed the complainant’s grandchildren in emergency foster care when the complainant’s daughter, the biological mother, was arrested.
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R277Page 133CPS did not notify any of the extended family of the children’s placement into foster care.
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R278When the complainant learned of the daughter’s incarceration, the complainant called CPS. During this conversation, the complainant learned from CPS the grandchildren were in foster care and nothing could be done until the next morning. Conducting interviews with CPS but maintaining anonymity of the complainant in the scenarios made asking questions difficult without pinpointing follow-up questions. This type of complaint was very difficult and precarious to investigate. Without the ability to ask specific questions, it is difficult to identify the correct course of action. 126 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee
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R279Page 134The committee could only hear one side of this complaint due to State Mandated confidentiality laws protecting juveniles.
-
R280Page 134After reading letters received by the complainant from the grandchild, the letters appeared to contain mentally advanced content that may have been written or dictated by an adult.
-
R281Page 134The children were appropriately removed from the biological mother at the time of the arrest and incarceration.
-
R282Page 134Develop a follow-up system to advise extended family of the disposition of juveniles of arrested/incarcerated individuals as a courtesy even if the children will not be placed with that relative.
-
R283Page 132Director of the Department of Social Services via Board of Supervisors (90 days) 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 127 Health & Social Services Committee
-
R284Page 135Initially, the complainant’s daughter was in jail and the children had been living with the complainant. The older children were teenagers and the younger children were just starting school.
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R285Shortly thereafter the complainant’s health began deteriorating and the children were released by the complainant to the foster care system via CPS.
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R286Page 135The first foster parents seemed to be the perfect match, agreeing to allow the complainant to remain an active involved grandmother.
-
R287Page 135The complainant stated that the foster/adoptive couple curtailed the complainant from visits without advanced notice.
-
R288Page 135Both children began to act out in various ways and the complainant tried intervening.
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R289Page 135The children told the complainant that the foster parents were mean, possibly abusive, and sent the children to bed without dinner.
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R290Page 135After questioning the children about these incidents, the complainant expressed concerns to CPS about the foster family.
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R291The children were moved to a new foster family. 128 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee
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R292Page 136The new foster family was willing to continue visits with the grandmother.
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R293Page 136The complainant, foster family, and children were becoming an extended family. Discussions of family outings with the complainant and adoptive parents is occurring.
-
R294Page 136The adoptive agency advised the grandmother that in order to give the adoptive parents time to “bond” with the adoptive family, space needed to be made in the grandmother/grandchild relationship.
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R295Page 136The grandmother did not like being advised to stay away from the children for “bonding” purposes.
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R296Page 136The grandmother did not understand the need for supervised visits. Recommendations
-
R297Page 136Provide counseling for guardians/relatives interested in placing juveniles in the foster family/adoptive agency process.
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R298Page 136Provide specific policy notification regarding visitation.
-
R299Page 132Director of the Department of Social Services via Board of Supervisors (90 days) 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 129 Health & Social Services Committee 130 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Cache Creek Dam Calpine Geothermal Code Enforcement Community Development Agency Lampson Field Airport Public Works Department Special Districts Taylor Observatory Vector Control-Mosquito Abatement PLANNING & PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OVERSIGHTS Citizen’s Complaint on Building & Use Permits Citizens Low Water Pressure Complaint
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R300Page 108CPS have an adequate amount of translators available at all times.
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R301Page 108Continue educating the Grand Jury and public with proactive offerings of practical applications of DSS policies.
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R302Page 108Director of Social Services via Board of Supervisors (90 days) 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 101 Health & Social Services Committee 102 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee The Ford Street Project Oversight
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R303Page 110The Ford Street Project is a non-profit organization with three directors and a supportive staff of ten.
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R304Page 110The Ford Street Project provides shelter, housing, substance abuse treatment, and employment services to the homeless, addicted, and disabled of Mendocino County.
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R305Page 110The organization has been serving Mendocino County since September 1974. It began serving the homeless population in 1982.
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R306Page 110County contracts with Mental Health, Social Services, Public Health, Sheriff’s Department, and the division of Alcohol and Other Drugs Services (AODS) accounts for nearly half of Ford Street’s annual budget of 1.75 million dollars.
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R307Ford Street operates in three basic areas: housing, drug and alcohol treatment, and job training/development. 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 103 Health & Social Services Committee
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R308Page 111There are no doctors or nurses on staff, therefore, no prescriptions are written on site.
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R309Page 111Detoxification services are a component of the Residential Treatment Program (RTP).
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R310Page 111Ford Street clients are not accepted into the program for detox unless first cleared by a medical doctor.
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R311Page 111The permanent shelter is a year round program located at 201 Brush Street in Ukiah.
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R312Page 111The facility has a sliding scale for self-paid low-income clients. Client costs are $100.00 per day and money comes from AODS, Mental Health, self-paid clients and contributions.
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R313Staff must be registered Addiction Specialists. Specialists require a two year course certification through one of the state certification agencies. Most staff have had addiction problems of their own in the past, and must be drug free for a minimum of one year before becoming counselors.
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R314Page 111The center has a nutritionist on staff; however, clients prepare the meals.
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R315Page 111Average client population ranges between 20-25.
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R316Page 111The normal stay is three to five days, but may extend up to 30- 180 days.
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R317Page 111Male and female clients have separate dormitories.
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R318Page 111Any client caught with drugs or alcohol is expelled and cannot return for 90 days.
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R319AODS, the Department of Mental Health, the Parole Department along with families and walk-ins are sources of clients.
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R320Page 111Lake County AODS has a contract with Ford Street for services and beds. The contract holds one bed at all times and can use more if needed.
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R321Page 111Challenges in establishing a detox center in Lake County are funding, suitable location and adequate staff.
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R322Page 111A center in Lake County would be of great benefit.
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R323None 104 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee Group Health Insurance Committee
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R324Page 112An open enrollment had just concluded.
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R325Page 112Discussions of brokers for medical insurance coverage for the 2009 bids were named.
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R326Page 112Repayment of a loan from the General Fund was occurring quicker than originally planned.
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R327None 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 105 Health & Social Services Committee 106 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee New Beginnings
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R328Page 115New Beginnings contracts with Alcohol and Other Drug Services (AODS).
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R329Page 115New Beginnings initial budget was $459,102.00.
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R330Page 115The program director expressed the importance of proper billing practices and the fear that if AODS did not follow those procedures New Beginnings would have to repay monies given them.
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R331Page 115A recent Drug Medical audit pronounced New Beginnings the fifth best agency in the state for their record keeping procedures.
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R332Page 115AODS' payment of invoices is erratic, and at one point they were $119,285.14 in arrears, making it hard for this agency to remain in operation.
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R333Page 115LCCAA tried unsuccessfully to obtain the services of a grant writer.
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R334Page 115New Beginnings referrals come from Cal Works, CPS, AODS, and Lake County courts to name a few as well as self- referred clients.
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R335Page 115New Beginnings' mission is "to provide an atmosphere of unconditional positive regard with the belief that respect and encouragement can be the catalyst necessary for transformation."
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R336Page 115The staff includes a program director, program coordinator, certified drug counselors, interns, child psychologist, office manager, cook, childcare, and transportation employees.
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R337Page 115To graduate from the Perinatal Day Treatment (PDT) program, one must complete 180 sessions and courses in Alcohol and Other Drug Education, Domestic Violence, Anger Management, Parenting, Nutrition, Self-esteem, Relapse Prevention, and Relationship Issues.
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R338Page 115Childcare is provided for clients in the PDT program.
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R339Page 115Breakfast and lunch for children and lunch for women is provided for all programs.
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R340Page 115Transportation is provided to and from day treatment, court, doctor's appointments, Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Alcohol Anonymous (AA), and for job and housing searches.
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R341Page 115Clients are helped with resumes to facilitate them in finding jobs. 108 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee
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R342Page 116The Transitional Living Center (TLC) is a clean and sober living environment requiring a six-month commitment. The staff teaches skills in conflict resolution, positive communication skills, budgeting, shopping, nutrition, cooking, and cleaning.
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R343Page 116Clients receiving financial assistance pay a small fee to augment the TLC funding source, and the remaining monies are deposited into an escrow account until they leave the program.
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R344Page 116Up to eight women and their children can live at TLC.
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R345Page 116Children taken by CPS may be re-unified with their mothers because of the programs offered by New Beginnings.
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R346Page 116The Grandparents for At Risk Children and Adolescence program, mentors mothers and children.
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R347Page 116Services provided to Konocti Community Day School are: daily groups, one-on-one counseling, treatment planning, life skills, self-esteem building, and referrals to other service agencies.
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R348Page 116To promote New Beginnings, place articles in newspapers explaining their program services and accomplishments.
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R349Page 116Hire a grant writer to take advantage of grants to make them solvent, and less dependent on government monies that are sometimes in arrears.
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R350Department Head via Board of Supervisors 90 days 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 109 Health & Social Services Committee 110 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee Public Health-Jail Medical
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R351Page 118The employees of CFMG are not county employees and are not unionized.
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R352Page 118Inmates are given a handbook that explains medical services available and how to obtain the services.
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R353Page 118A local doctor is the lead doctor for the facility and is on site once a week to review records and discuss cases with the Physician Assistant (PA) or Registered Nurse (RN).
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R354Page 118The PA is on-site Monday through Thursday from 9-4. A dentist is on-site two days per month for a total of 16 hours, and sees between 20-30 inmates during those two days. A psychiatric RN is on-site four days a week.
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R355Page 118Twenty-three percent of the medical cases are psychiatric or drug related as compared to seventy-seven percent of the medical cases. However, the twenty-three percent group takes more time to deal with than the seventy-seven percent medical group.
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R356Page 119There is a $3.00 charge for medical services every time an inmate receives medical treatment. When an inmate is unable to pay, the service is still given, and when the inmate receives money the fee is then collected. In instances when there is no money to be collected from the inmate, the county pays the charges.
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R357Page 119There are no charges for prescription medications given to inmates.
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R358Page 119In cases when an individual is detained due to intoxication, the individual is placed in the “sobering cell” and monitored.
-
R359Page 119Upon inmates being booked, medical conditions are assessed by the officers on duty, and if needed, by the nurse. The doctor may be called if necessary.
-
R360Page 119There are 10-12 suicide threats per week, but only one or two are actually attempted. When a threat is received, officers check on the inmate every 15 minutes and the nurse checks every four hours. There are nurses on-site 24/7.
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R361Page 119When an inmate is hospitalized, CFMG pays for the first $15,000.00 of the cost with the county paying the remainder.
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R362Page 119In the event an inmate requests a specific physician, the inmate is responsible for the fee and the cost of transportation to receive the treatment. This request seldom occurs.
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R363Page 119An average of $10,000.00 is provided by CFMG each month. The contract is based on 280 inmates. If the census exceeds this amount, CFMG receives more money, in the event the census is lower, CFMG pays money back to the facility.
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R364Page 119The medical services lacking in the jail and juvenile hall are a surgery center and a dialysis center.
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R365Page 119There is no mental discharge planner on site.
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R366Page 119Someone from mental health contacts the inmate almost daily.
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R367Page 119CFMG has a quarterly quality assurance meeting and has invited representatives from Sutter Lakeside Hospital to attend.
-
R368Page 119The Mental Health Director is also invited to the quarterly meetings and has only attended one or two in the past and no longer attends.
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R369Page 119The response to calls to the Mental Health Crisis Team is very slow, sometimes, taking two to three days to respond. 112 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee
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R370Page 120The Mental Health Director attends quarterly meetings.
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R371Page 120Make assessments in a timely fashion.
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R372Page 120A Sutter Lakeside Hospital representative attend the quarterly meetings.
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R373Page 120Director of Public Health via Board of Supervisors 90 days 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 113 Health & Social Services Committee 114 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee Child Protective Services – Petitions Report
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R374Page 124Other County Grand Juries within the State of California have been granted access to CPS files by court order.2
-
R375Page 124The 2008-2009 Grand Jury continue the process of obtaining CPS records for the three complaints named in the petitions. Grand Jury Final Reports from California counties relative to Child Protective Services; San Diego County, Solano County. 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 117 Health & Social Services Committee 118 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 119 Health & Social Services Committee 120 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee Alcohol and Other Drugs Services Ethics Violation Complaint
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R376Page 128Engaging in any relationship with a client before the client has been discharged for two years is a violation of Lake County’s Code of Conduct.
-
R377Page 128A program (local) shall report to the Department (state) any alleged violation by a registrant or certified counselor within 24 hours of becoming aware of said violation. AODS Code of Conduct 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 121 Health & Social Services Committee
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R378Page 129The Administrator of AODS does not possess the certification that is required for the job: “Current California certification as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor”.
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R379Page 129The counselor responsible for reporting the inappropriate conduct to the Administrator did so in early July 2007.
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R380Page 129Other employees stated knowing about the inappropriate conduct in July 2007 and finally sent an anonymous letter to the state department of AODS on August 10, 2007. A second letter went to the Administrator on September 6, 2007.
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R381Page 129One employee said, “You can’t imagine what is happening there. It shatters everything we try to do. We have to keep secrets while telling clients to open up.” The stress level is very high.
-
R382Page 129The morale at AODS is very low with an Administrator who is known to be verbally abusive, vindictive, difficult to work with, and erratic.
-
R383Page 129The Administrator did not notify the State Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs or the counselor’s certifying organization within the 24 hours mandated by the State regulations.
-
R384Page 129The Administrator stated learning of the inappropriate conduct on July 26, 2007.
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R385Page 129The counselor was put on administrative leave September 10, 2007.
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R386Page 129The counselor was allowed to resign and did so to the Director of Mental Health on September 20, 2007.
-
R387Page 129The counselor became vested with the County of Lake on September 16, 2007.
-
R388Page 129The Administrator of AODS notified the counselor’s certifying agency of the inappropriate conduct and that the counselor had resigned his position via letter on October 3, 2007.
-
R389Page 129Hire a properly certified and human relationship skilled person to replace the current Administrator.
-
R390Page 129Make every effort to cultivate employee trust and smooth over the damage that has occurred.
-
R391Department Head via Board of Supervisors 90 days 122 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee Child Protective Services: Complaint 1
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R392Page 130The complainant, who was the paternal grandmother, was trying to become the foster parent to the youngest grandson.
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R393Page 130The complainant was already the guardian for an older grandchild.
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R394Page 130The birth mother had been in and out of the younger child’s life causing instability. The younger grandchild stayed with the complainant often when the mother was away.
-
R395Page 130The complainant believed the mother’s behavior was becoming detrimental to the child and placed the child into the CPS system with the intention of becoming the foster parent for the child. The complainant stated they did not know this action would cause confusion and trauma in the family.
-
R396Page 130A problem arose regarding a 25-30 year-old criminal history. The complainant stated that CPS did not provide a copy of the Department of Justice criminal record. The complainant alleged that this violated CPS Policies and Procedures regarding background checks. 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 123 Health & Social Services Committee
-
R397Page 131The complainant stated that none of the 25-30 year- old offenses would “bar the individual from ever being approved for placement of the child”. The “five-year restriction” did not apply to the 25-30 year old criminal records.
-
R398Page 131The complainant believed CPS had complete “say so” over the foster care approval process, only to find out CPS contracts with other agencies for foster home approval.
-
R399The complainant allegedly took in another child willingly during this time at the request of CPS.
-
R400The complainant believes that overnight visits suddenly were stopped because CPS learned that the complainant and the foster family were working together without including the social workers.
-
R401The complainants issues were: o Frustration and confusion. o Feelings of “us against them”. o The confidentiality laws regarding protected juveniles added to the frustration and seemed unnecessary to the complainant. o The rules, policies, and procedures appeared more important than the best interests of the children. o What looked like a “cookie cutter decision”, without flexibility, felt more detrimental in the long run.
-
R402Page 131Only the complainant’s version of events is unrestricted and available for this report. Consequently, all Facts/Findings are based on information provided by the complainant.
-
R403Page 131The younger grandson is under CPS custody.
-
R404Page 131CPS referred the case to the state for an exemption hearing for the complainant and the complainant’s husband. CPS revised the policy for this case and handled the exemption hearing at the county level. 124 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee
-
R405Page 132Develop a simple and informative outline of explaining the process that families must follow to become a foster parent.
-
R406Page 132Inform applicants what information can not be released regarding foster children.
-
R407Page 132Director of the Department of Social Services via Board of Supervisors (90 days) 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 125 Health & Social Services Committee
-
R408CPS placed the complainant’s grandchildren in emergency foster care when the complainant’s daughter, the biological mother, was arrested.
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R409Page 133CPS did not notify any of the extended family of the children’s placement into foster care.
-
R410When the complainant learned of the daughter’s incarceration, the complainant called CPS. During this conversation, the complainant learned from CPS the grandchildren were in foster care and nothing could be done until the next morning. Conducting interviews with CPS but maintaining anonymity of the complainant in the scenarios made asking questions difficult without pinpointing follow-up questions. This type of complaint was very difficult and precarious to investigate. Without the ability to ask specific questions, it is difficult to identify the correct course of action. 126 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee
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R411Page 134The committee could only hear one side of this complaint due to State Mandated confidentiality laws protecting juveniles.
-
R412Page 134After reading letters received by the complainant from the grandchild, the letters appeared to contain mentally advanced content that may have been written or dictated by an adult.
-
R413Page 134The children were appropriately removed from the biological mother at the time of the arrest and incarceration.
-
R414Page 134Develop a follow-up system to advise extended family of the disposition of juveniles of arrested/incarcerated individuals as a courtesy even if the children will not be placed with that relative.
-
R415Page 132Director of the Department of Social Services via Board of Supervisors (90 days) 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 127 Health & Social Services Committee
-
R416Page 135Initially, the complainant’s daughter was in jail and the children had been living with the complainant. The older children were teenagers and the younger children were just starting school.
-
R417Shortly thereafter the complainant’s health began deteriorating and the children were released by the complainant to the foster care system via CPS.
-
R418Page 135The first foster parents seemed to be the perfect match, agreeing to allow the complainant to remain an active involved grandmother.
-
R419Page 135The complainant stated that the foster/adoptive couple curtailed the complainant from visits without advanced notice.
-
R420Page 135Both children began to act out in various ways and the complainant tried intervening.
-
R421Page 135The children told the complainant that the foster parents were mean, possibly abusive, and sent the children to bed without dinner.
-
R422Page 135After questioning the children about these incidents, the complainant expressed concerns to CPS about the foster family.
-
R423The children were moved to a new foster family. 128 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee
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R424Page 136The new foster family was willing to continue visits with the grandmother.
-
R425Page 136The complainant, foster family, and children were becoming an extended family. Discussions of family outings with the complainant and adoptive parents is occurring.
-
R426Page 136The adoptive agency advised the grandmother that in order to give the adoptive parents time to “bond” with the adoptive family, space needed to be made in the grandmother/grandchild relationship.
-
R427Page 136The grandmother did not like being advised to stay away from the children for “bonding” purposes.
-
R428Page 136The grandmother did not understand the need for supervised visits. Recommendations
-
R429Page 136Provide counseling for guardians/relatives interested in placing juveniles in the foster family/adoptive agency process.
-
R430Page 136Provide specific policy notification regarding visitation.
-
R431Page 132Director of the Department of Social Services via Board of Supervisors (90 days) 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 129 Health & Social Services Committee 130 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Cache Creek Dam Calpine Geothermal Code Enforcement Community Development Agency Lampson Field Airport Public Works Department Special Districts Taylor Observatory Vector Control-Mosquito Abatement PLANNING & PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OVERSIGHTS Citizen’s Complaint on Building & Use Permits Citizens Low Water Pressure Complaint
-
R432None 104 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee Group Health Insurance Committee
-
R433Page 112An open enrollment had just concluded.
-
R434Page 112Discussions of brokers for medical insurance coverage for the 2009 bids were named.
-
R435Page 112Repayment of a loan from the General Fund was occurring quicker than originally planned.
-
R436None 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 105 Health & Social Services Committee 106 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee New Beginnings
-
R437Page 115New Beginnings contracts with Alcohol and Other Drug Services (AODS).
-
R438Page 115New Beginnings initial budget was $459,102.00.
-
R439Page 115The program director expressed the importance of proper billing practices and the fear that if AODS did not follow those procedures New Beginnings would have to repay monies given them.
-
R440Page 115A recent Drug Medical audit pronounced New Beginnings the fifth best agency in the state for their record keeping procedures.
-
R441Page 115AODS' payment of invoices is erratic, and at one point they were $119,285.14 in arrears, making it hard for this agency to remain in operation.
-
R442Page 115LCCAA tried unsuccessfully to obtain the services of a grant writer.
-
R443Page 115New Beginnings referrals come from Cal Works, CPS, AODS, and Lake County courts to name a few as well as self- referred clients.
-
R444Page 115New Beginnings' mission is "to provide an atmosphere of unconditional positive regard with the belief that respect and encouragement can be the catalyst necessary for transformation."
-
R445Page 115The staff includes a program director, program coordinator, certified drug counselors, interns, child psychologist, office manager, cook, childcare, and transportation employees.
-
R446Page 115To graduate from the Perinatal Day Treatment (PDT) program, one must complete 180 sessions and courses in Alcohol and Other Drug Education, Domestic Violence, Anger Management, Parenting, Nutrition, Self-esteem, Relapse Prevention, and Relationship Issues.
-
R447Page 115Childcare is provided for clients in the PDT program.
-
R448Page 115Breakfast and lunch for children and lunch for women is provided for all programs.
-
R449Page 115Transportation is provided to and from day treatment, court, doctor's appointments, Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Alcohol Anonymous (AA), and for job and housing searches.
-
R450Page 115Clients are helped with resumes to facilitate them in finding jobs. 108 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee
-
R451Page 116The Transitional Living Center (TLC) is a clean and sober living environment requiring a six-month commitment. The staff teaches skills in conflict resolution, positive communication skills, budgeting, shopping, nutrition, cooking, and cleaning.
-
R452Page 116Clients receiving financial assistance pay a small fee to augment the TLC funding source, and the remaining monies are deposited into an escrow account until they leave the program.
-
R453Page 116Up to eight women and their children can live at TLC.
-
R454Page 116Children taken by CPS may be re-unified with their mothers because of the programs offered by New Beginnings.
-
R455Page 116The Grandparents for At Risk Children and Adolescence program, mentors mothers and children.
-
R456Page 116Services provided to Konocti Community Day School are: daily groups, one-on-one counseling, treatment planning, life skills, self-esteem building, and referrals to other service agencies.
-
R457Page 116To promote New Beginnings, place articles in newspapers explaining their program services and accomplishments.
-
R458Page 116Hire a grant writer to take advantage of grants to make them solvent, and less dependent on government monies that are sometimes in arrears.
-
R459Department Head via Board of Supervisors 90 days 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 109 Health & Social Services Committee 110 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee Public Health-Jail Medical
-
R460Page 118The employees of CFMG are not county employees and are not unionized.
-
R461Page 118Inmates are given a handbook that explains medical services available and how to obtain the services.
-
R462Page 118A local doctor is the lead doctor for the facility and is on site once a week to review records and discuss cases with the Physician Assistant (PA) or Registered Nurse (RN).
-
R463Page 118The PA is on-site Monday through Thursday from 9-4. A dentist is on-site two days per month for a total of 16 hours, and sees between 20-30 inmates during those two days. A psychiatric RN is on-site four days a week.
-
R464Page 118Twenty-three percent of the medical cases are psychiatric or drug related as compared to seventy-seven percent of the medical cases. However, the twenty-three percent group takes more time to deal with than the seventy-seven percent medical group.
-
R465Page 119There is a $3.00 charge for medical services every time an inmate receives medical treatment. When an inmate is unable to pay, the service is still given, and when the inmate receives money the fee is then collected. In instances when there is no money to be collected from the inmate, the county pays the charges.
-
R466Page 119There are no charges for prescription medications given to inmates.
-
R467Page 119In cases when an individual is detained due to intoxication, the individual is placed in the “sobering cell” and monitored.
-
R468Page 119Upon inmates being booked, medical conditions are assessed by the officers on duty, and if needed, by the nurse. The doctor may be called if necessary.
-
R469Page 119There are 10-12 suicide threats per week, but only one or two are actually attempted. When a threat is received, officers check on the inmate every 15 minutes and the nurse checks every four hours. There are nurses on-site 24/7.
-
R470Page 119When an inmate is hospitalized, CFMG pays for the first $15,000.00 of the cost with the county paying the remainder.
-
R471Page 119In the event an inmate requests a specific physician, the inmate is responsible for the fee and the cost of transportation to receive the treatment. This request seldom occurs.
-
R472Page 119An average of $10,000.00 is provided by CFMG each month. The contract is based on 280 inmates. If the census exceeds this amount, CFMG receives more money, in the event the census is lower, CFMG pays money back to the facility.
-
R473Page 119The medical services lacking in the jail and juvenile hall are a surgery center and a dialysis center.
-
R474Page 119There is no mental discharge planner on site.
-
R475Page 119Someone from mental health contacts the inmate almost daily.
-
R476Page 119CFMG has a quarterly quality assurance meeting and has invited representatives from Sutter Lakeside Hospital to attend.
-
R477Page 119The Mental Health Director is also invited to the quarterly meetings and has only attended one or two in the past and no longer attends.
-
R478Page 119The response to calls to the Mental Health Crisis Team is very slow, sometimes, taking two to three days to respond. 112 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee
-
R479Page 120The Mental Health Director attends quarterly meetings.
-
R480Page 120Make assessments in a timely fashion.
-
R481Page 120A Sutter Lakeside Hospital representative attend the quarterly meetings.
-
R482Page 120Director of Public Health via Board of Supervisors 90 days 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 113 Health & Social Services Committee 114 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee Child Protective Services – Petitions Report
-
R483Page 124Other County Grand Juries within the State of California have been granted access to CPS files by court order.2
-
R484Page 124The 2008-2009 Grand Jury continue the process of obtaining CPS records for the three complaints named in the petitions. Grand Jury Final Reports from California counties relative to Child Protective Services; San Diego County, Solano County. 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 117 Health & Social Services Committee 118 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 119 Health & Social Services Committee 120 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee Alcohol and Other Drugs Services Ethics Violation Complaint
-
R485Page 128Engaging in any relationship with a client before the client has been discharged for two years is a violation of Lake County’s Code of Conduct.
-
R486Page 128A program (local) shall report to the Department (state) any alleged violation by a registrant or certified counselor within 24 hours of becoming aware of said violation. AODS Code of Conduct 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 121 Health & Social Services Committee
-
R487Page 129The Administrator of AODS does not possess the certification that is required for the job: “Current California certification as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor”.
-
R488Page 129The counselor responsible for reporting the inappropriate conduct to the Administrator did so in early July 2007.
-
R489Page 129Other employees stated knowing about the inappropriate conduct in July 2007 and finally sent an anonymous letter to the state department of AODS on August 10, 2007. A second letter went to the Administrator on September 6, 2007.
-
R490Page 129One employee said, “You can’t imagine what is happening there. It shatters everything we try to do. We have to keep secrets while telling clients to open up.” The stress level is very high.
-
R491Page 129The morale at AODS is very low with an Administrator who is known to be verbally abusive, vindictive, difficult to work with, and erratic.
-
R492Page 129The Administrator did not notify the State Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs or the counselor’s certifying organization within the 24 hours mandated by the State regulations.
-
R493Page 129The Administrator stated learning of the inappropriate conduct on July 26, 2007.
-
R494Page 129The counselor was put on administrative leave September 10, 2007.
-
R495Page 129The counselor was allowed to resign and did so to the Director of Mental Health on September 20, 2007.
-
R496Page 129The counselor became vested with the County of Lake on September 16, 2007.
-
R497Page 129The Administrator of AODS notified the counselor’s certifying agency of the inappropriate conduct and that the counselor had resigned his position via letter on October 3, 2007.
-
R498Page 129Hire a properly certified and human relationship skilled person to replace the current Administrator.
-
R499Page 129Make every effort to cultivate employee trust and smooth over the damage that has occurred.
-
R500Department Head via Board of Supervisors 90 days 122 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee Child Protective Services: Complaint 1
-
R501Page 130The complainant, who was the paternal grandmother, was trying to become the foster parent to the youngest grandson.
-
R502Page 130The complainant was already the guardian for an older grandchild.
-
R503Page 130The birth mother had been in and out of the younger child’s life causing instability. The younger grandchild stayed with the complainant often when the mother was away.
-
R504Page 130The complainant believed the mother’s behavior was becoming detrimental to the child and placed the child into the CPS system with the intention of becoming the foster parent for the child. The complainant stated they did not know this action would cause confusion and trauma in the family.
-
R505Page 130A problem arose regarding a 25-30 year-old criminal history. The complainant stated that CPS did not provide a copy of the Department of Justice criminal record. The complainant alleged that this violated CPS Policies and Procedures regarding background checks. 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 123 Health & Social Services Committee
-
R506Page 131The complainant stated that none of the 25-30 year- old offenses would “bar the individual from ever being approved for placement of the child”. The “five-year restriction” did not apply to the 25-30 year old criminal records.
-
R507Page 131The complainant believed CPS had complete “say so” over the foster care approval process, only to find out CPS contracts with other agencies for foster home approval.
-
R508The complainant allegedly took in another child willingly during this time at the request of CPS.
-
R509The complainant believes that overnight visits suddenly were stopped because CPS learned that the complainant and the foster family were working together without including the social workers.
-
R510The complainants issues were: o Frustration and confusion. o Feelings of “us against them”. o The confidentiality laws regarding protected juveniles added to the frustration and seemed unnecessary to the complainant. o The rules, policies, and procedures appeared more important than the best interests of the children. o What looked like a “cookie cutter decision”, without flexibility, felt more detrimental in the long run.
-
R511Page 131Only the complainant’s version of events is unrestricted and available for this report. Consequently, all Facts/Findings are based on information provided by the complainant.
-
R512Page 131The younger grandson is under CPS custody.
-
R513Page 131CPS referred the case to the state for an exemption hearing for the complainant and the complainant’s husband. CPS revised the policy for this case and handled the exemption hearing at the county level. 124 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee
-
R514Page 132Develop a simple and informative outline of explaining the process that families must follow to become a foster parent.
-
R515Page 132Inform applicants what information can not be released regarding foster children.
-
R516Page 132Director of the Department of Social Services via Board of Supervisors (90 days) 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 125 Health & Social Services Committee
-
R517CPS placed the complainant’s grandchildren in emergency foster care when the complainant’s daughter, the biological mother, was arrested.
-
R518Page 133CPS did not notify any of the extended family of the children’s placement into foster care.
-
R519When the complainant learned of the daughter’s incarceration, the complainant called CPS. During this conversation, the complainant learned from CPS the grandchildren were in foster care and nothing could be done until the next morning. Conducting interviews with CPS but maintaining anonymity of the complainant in the scenarios made asking questions difficult without pinpointing follow-up questions. This type of complaint was very difficult and precarious to investigate. Without the ability to ask specific questions, it is difficult to identify the correct course of action. 126 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee
-
R520Page 134The committee could only hear one side of this complaint due to State Mandated confidentiality laws protecting juveniles.
-
R521Page 134After reading letters received by the complainant from the grandchild, the letters appeared to contain mentally advanced content that may have been written or dictated by an adult.
-
R522Page 134The children were appropriately removed from the biological mother at the time of the arrest and incarceration.
-
R523Page 134Develop a follow-up system to advise extended family of the disposition of juveniles of arrested/incarcerated individuals as a courtesy even if the children will not be placed with that relative.
-
R524Page 132Director of the Department of Social Services via Board of Supervisors (90 days) 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 127 Health & Social Services Committee
-
R525Page 135Initially, the complainant’s daughter was in jail and the children had been living with the complainant. The older children were teenagers and the younger children were just starting school.
-
R526Shortly thereafter the complainant’s health began deteriorating and the children were released by the complainant to the foster care system via CPS.
-
R527Page 135The first foster parents seemed to be the perfect match, agreeing to allow the complainant to remain an active involved grandmother.
-
R528Page 135The complainant stated that the foster/adoptive couple curtailed the complainant from visits without advanced notice.
-
R529Page 135Both children began to act out in various ways and the complainant tried intervening.
-
R530Page 135The children told the complainant that the foster parents were mean, possibly abusive, and sent the children to bed without dinner.
-
R531Page 135After questioning the children about these incidents, the complainant expressed concerns to CPS about the foster family.
-
R532The children were moved to a new foster family. 128 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee
-
R533Page 136The new foster family was willing to continue visits with the grandmother.
-
R534Page 136The complainant, foster family, and children were becoming an extended family. Discussions of family outings with the complainant and adoptive parents is occurring.
-
R535Page 136The adoptive agency advised the grandmother that in order to give the adoptive parents time to “bond” with the adoptive family, space needed to be made in the grandmother/grandchild relationship.
-
R536Page 136The grandmother did not like being advised to stay away from the children for “bonding” purposes.
-
R537Page 136The grandmother did not understand the need for supervised visits. Recommendations
-
R538Page 136Provide counseling for guardians/relatives interested in placing juveniles in the foster family/adoptive agency process.
-
R539Page 136Provide specific policy notification regarding visitation.
-
R540Page 132Director of the Department of Social Services via Board of Supervisors (90 days) 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 129 Health & Social Services Committee 130 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Cache Creek Dam Calpine Geothermal Code Enforcement Community Development Agency Lampson Field Airport Public Works Department Special Districts Taylor Observatory Vector Control-Mosquito Abatement PLANNING & PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OVERSIGHTS Citizen’s Complaint on Building & Use Permits Citizens Low Water Pressure Complaint
-
R541None 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 105 Health & Social Services Committee 106 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee New Beginnings
-
R542Page 115New Beginnings contracts with Alcohol and Other Drug Services (AODS).
-
R543Page 115New Beginnings initial budget was $459,102.00.
-
R544Page 115The program director expressed the importance of proper billing practices and the fear that if AODS did not follow those procedures New Beginnings would have to repay monies given them.
-
R545Page 115A recent Drug Medical audit pronounced New Beginnings the fifth best agency in the state for their record keeping procedures.
-
R546Page 115AODS' payment of invoices is erratic, and at one point they were $119,285.14 in arrears, making it hard for this agency to remain in operation.
-
R547Page 115LCCAA tried unsuccessfully to obtain the services of a grant writer.
-
R548Page 115New Beginnings referrals come from Cal Works, CPS, AODS, and Lake County courts to name a few as well as self- referred clients.
-
R549Page 115New Beginnings' mission is "to provide an atmosphere of unconditional positive regard with the belief that respect and encouragement can be the catalyst necessary for transformation."
-
R550Page 115The staff includes a program director, program coordinator, certified drug counselors, interns, child psychologist, office manager, cook, childcare, and transportation employees.
-
R551Page 115To graduate from the Perinatal Day Treatment (PDT) program, one must complete 180 sessions and courses in Alcohol and Other Drug Education, Domestic Violence, Anger Management, Parenting, Nutrition, Self-esteem, Relapse Prevention, and Relationship Issues.
-
R552Page 115Childcare is provided for clients in the PDT program.
-
R553Page 115Breakfast and lunch for children and lunch for women is provided for all programs.
-
R554Page 115Transportation is provided to and from day treatment, court, doctor's appointments, Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Alcohol Anonymous (AA), and for job and housing searches.
-
R555Page 115Clients are helped with resumes to facilitate them in finding jobs. 108 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee
-
R556Page 116The Transitional Living Center (TLC) is a clean and sober living environment requiring a six-month commitment. The staff teaches skills in conflict resolution, positive communication skills, budgeting, shopping, nutrition, cooking, and cleaning.
-
R557Page 116Clients receiving financial assistance pay a small fee to augment the TLC funding source, and the remaining monies are deposited into an escrow account until they leave the program.
-
R558Page 116Up to eight women and their children can live at TLC.
-
R559Page 116Children taken by CPS may be re-unified with their mothers because of the programs offered by New Beginnings.
-
R560Page 116The Grandparents for At Risk Children and Adolescence program, mentors mothers and children.
-
R561Page 116Services provided to Konocti Community Day School are: daily groups, one-on-one counseling, treatment planning, life skills, self-esteem building, and referrals to other service agencies.
-
R562Page 116To promote New Beginnings, place articles in newspapers explaining their program services and accomplishments.
-
R563Page 116Hire a grant writer to take advantage of grants to make them solvent, and less dependent on government monies that are sometimes in arrears.
-
R564Department Head via Board of Supervisors 90 days 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 109 Health & Social Services Committee 110 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee Public Health-Jail Medical
-
R565Page 118The employees of CFMG are not county employees and are not unionized.
-
R566Page 118Inmates are given a handbook that explains medical services available and how to obtain the services.
-
R567Page 118A local doctor is the lead doctor for the facility and is on site once a week to review records and discuss cases with the Physician Assistant (PA) or Registered Nurse (RN).
-
R568Page 118The PA is on-site Monday through Thursday from 9-4. A dentist is on-site two days per month for a total of 16 hours, and sees between 20-30 inmates during those two days. A psychiatric RN is on-site four days a week.
-
R569Page 118Twenty-three percent of the medical cases are psychiatric or drug related as compared to seventy-seven percent of the medical cases. However, the twenty-three percent group takes more time to deal with than the seventy-seven percent medical group.
-
R570Page 119There is a $3.00 charge for medical services every time an inmate receives medical treatment. When an inmate is unable to pay, the service is still given, and when the inmate receives money the fee is then collected. In instances when there is no money to be collected from the inmate, the county pays the charges.
-
R571Page 119There are no charges for prescription medications given to inmates.
-
R572Page 119In cases when an individual is detained due to intoxication, the individual is placed in the “sobering cell” and monitored.
-
R573Page 119Upon inmates being booked, medical conditions are assessed by the officers on duty, and if needed, by the nurse. The doctor may be called if necessary.
-
R574Page 119There are 10-12 suicide threats per week, but only one or two are actually attempted. When a threat is received, officers check on the inmate every 15 minutes and the nurse checks every four hours. There are nurses on-site 24/7.
-
R575Page 119When an inmate is hospitalized, CFMG pays for the first $15,000.00 of the cost with the county paying the remainder.
-
R576Page 119In the event an inmate requests a specific physician, the inmate is responsible for the fee and the cost of transportation to receive the treatment. This request seldom occurs.
-
R577Page 119An average of $10,000.00 is provided by CFMG each month. The contract is based on 280 inmates. If the census exceeds this amount, CFMG receives more money, in the event the census is lower, CFMG pays money back to the facility.
-
R578Page 119The medical services lacking in the jail and juvenile hall are a surgery center and a dialysis center.
-
R579Page 119There is no mental discharge planner on site.
-
R580Page 119Someone from mental health contacts the inmate almost daily.
-
R581Page 119CFMG has a quarterly quality assurance meeting and has invited representatives from Sutter Lakeside Hospital to attend.
-
R582Page 119The Mental Health Director is also invited to the quarterly meetings and has only attended one or two in the past and no longer attends.
-
R583Page 119The response to calls to the Mental Health Crisis Team is very slow, sometimes, taking two to three days to respond. 112 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee
-
R584Page 120The Mental Health Director attends quarterly meetings.
-
R585Page 120Make assessments in a timely fashion.
-
R586Page 120A Sutter Lakeside Hospital representative attend the quarterly meetings.
-
R587Page 120Director of Public Health via Board of Supervisors 90 days 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 113 Health & Social Services Committee 114 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee Child Protective Services – Petitions Report
-
R588Page 124Other County Grand Juries within the State of California have been granted access to CPS files by court order.2
-
R589Page 124The 2008-2009 Grand Jury continue the process of obtaining CPS records for the three complaints named in the petitions. Grand Jury Final Reports from California counties relative to Child Protective Services; San Diego County, Solano County. 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 117 Health & Social Services Committee 118 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 119 Health & Social Services Committee 120 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee Alcohol and Other Drugs Services Ethics Violation Complaint
-
R590Page 128Engaging in any relationship with a client before the client has been discharged for two years is a violation of Lake County’s Code of Conduct.
-
R591Page 128A program (local) shall report to the Department (state) any alleged violation by a registrant or certified counselor within 24 hours of becoming aware of said violation. AODS Code of Conduct 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 121 Health & Social Services Committee
-
R592Page 129The Administrator of AODS does not possess the certification that is required for the job: “Current California certification as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor”.
-
R593Page 129The counselor responsible for reporting the inappropriate conduct to the Administrator did so in early July 2007.
-
R594Page 129Other employees stated knowing about the inappropriate conduct in July 2007 and finally sent an anonymous letter to the state department of AODS on August 10, 2007. A second letter went to the Administrator on September 6, 2007.
-
R595Page 129One employee said, “You can’t imagine what is happening there. It shatters everything we try to do. We have to keep secrets while telling clients to open up.” The stress level is very high.
-
R596Page 129The morale at AODS is very low with an Administrator who is known to be verbally abusive, vindictive, difficult to work with, and erratic.
-
R597Page 129The Administrator did not notify the State Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs or the counselor’s certifying organization within the 24 hours mandated by the State regulations.
-
R598Page 129The Administrator stated learning of the inappropriate conduct on July 26, 2007.
-
R599Page 129The counselor was put on administrative leave September 10, 2007.
-
R600Page 129The counselor was allowed to resign and did so to the Director of Mental Health on September 20, 2007.
-
R601Page 129The counselor became vested with the County of Lake on September 16, 2007.
-
R602Page 129The Administrator of AODS notified the counselor’s certifying agency of the inappropriate conduct and that the counselor had resigned his position via letter on October 3, 2007.
-
R603Page 129Hire a properly certified and human relationship skilled person to replace the current Administrator.
-
R604Page 129Make every effort to cultivate employee trust and smooth over the damage that has occurred.
-
R605Department Head via Board of Supervisors 90 days 122 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee Child Protective Services: Complaint 1
-
R606Page 130The complainant, who was the paternal grandmother, was trying to become the foster parent to the youngest grandson.
-
R607Page 130The complainant was already the guardian for an older grandchild.
-
R608Page 130The birth mother had been in and out of the younger child’s life causing instability. The younger grandchild stayed with the complainant often when the mother was away.
-
R609Page 130The complainant believed the mother’s behavior was becoming detrimental to the child and placed the child into the CPS system with the intention of becoming the foster parent for the child. The complainant stated they did not know this action would cause confusion and trauma in the family.
-
R610Page 130A problem arose regarding a 25-30 year-old criminal history. The complainant stated that CPS did not provide a copy of the Department of Justice criminal record. The complainant alleged that this violated CPS Policies and Procedures regarding background checks. 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 123 Health & Social Services Committee
-
R611Page 131The complainant stated that none of the 25-30 year- old offenses would “bar the individual from ever being approved for placement of the child”. The “five-year restriction” did not apply to the 25-30 year old criminal records.
-
R612Page 131The complainant believed CPS had complete “say so” over the foster care approval process, only to find out CPS contracts with other agencies for foster home approval.
-
R613The complainant allegedly took in another child willingly during this time at the request of CPS.
-
R614The complainant believes that overnight visits suddenly were stopped because CPS learned that the complainant and the foster family were working together without including the social workers.
-
R615The complainants issues were: o Frustration and confusion. o Feelings of “us against them”. o The confidentiality laws regarding protected juveniles added to the frustration and seemed unnecessary to the complainant. o The rules, policies, and procedures appeared more important than the best interests of the children. o What looked like a “cookie cutter decision”, without flexibility, felt more detrimental in the long run.
-
R616Page 131Only the complainant’s version of events is unrestricted and available for this report. Consequently, all Facts/Findings are based on information provided by the complainant.
-
R617Page 131The younger grandson is under CPS custody.
-
R618Page 131CPS referred the case to the state for an exemption hearing for the complainant and the complainant’s husband. CPS revised the policy for this case and handled the exemption hearing at the county level. 124 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee
-
R619Page 132Develop a simple and informative outline of explaining the process that families must follow to become a foster parent.
-
R620Page 132Inform applicants what information can not be released regarding foster children.
-
R621Page 132Director of the Department of Social Services via Board of Supervisors (90 days) 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 125 Health & Social Services Committee
-
R622CPS placed the complainant’s grandchildren in emergency foster care when the complainant’s daughter, the biological mother, was arrested.
-
R623Page 133CPS did not notify any of the extended family of the children’s placement into foster care.
-
R624When the complainant learned of the daughter’s incarceration, the complainant called CPS. During this conversation, the complainant learned from CPS the grandchildren were in foster care and nothing could be done until the next morning. Conducting interviews with CPS but maintaining anonymity of the complainant in the scenarios made asking questions difficult without pinpointing follow-up questions. This type of complaint was very difficult and precarious to investigate. Without the ability to ask specific questions, it is difficult to identify the correct course of action. 126 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee
-
R625Page 134The committee could only hear one side of this complaint due to State Mandated confidentiality laws protecting juveniles.
-
R626Page 134After reading letters received by the complainant from the grandchild, the letters appeared to contain mentally advanced content that may have been written or dictated by an adult.
-
R627Page 134The children were appropriately removed from the biological mother at the time of the arrest and incarceration.
-
R628Page 134Develop a follow-up system to advise extended family of the disposition of juveniles of arrested/incarcerated individuals as a courtesy even if the children will not be placed with that relative.
-
R629Page 132Director of the Department of Social Services via Board of Supervisors (90 days) 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 127 Health & Social Services Committee
-
R630Page 135Initially, the complainant’s daughter was in jail and the children had been living with the complainant. The older children were teenagers and the younger children were just starting school.
-
R631Shortly thereafter the complainant’s health began deteriorating and the children were released by the complainant to the foster care system via CPS.
-
R632Page 135The first foster parents seemed to be the perfect match, agreeing to allow the complainant to remain an active involved grandmother.
-
R633Page 135The complainant stated that the foster/adoptive couple curtailed the complainant from visits without advanced notice.
-
R634Page 135Both children began to act out in various ways and the complainant tried intervening.
-
R635Page 135The children told the complainant that the foster parents were mean, possibly abusive, and sent the children to bed without dinner.
-
R636Page 135After questioning the children about these incidents, the complainant expressed concerns to CPS about the foster family.
-
R637The children were moved to a new foster family. 128 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee
-
R638Page 136The new foster family was willing to continue visits with the grandmother.
-
R639Page 136The complainant, foster family, and children were becoming an extended family. Discussions of family outings with the complainant and adoptive parents is occurring.
-
R640Page 136The adoptive agency advised the grandmother that in order to give the adoptive parents time to “bond” with the adoptive family, space needed to be made in the grandmother/grandchild relationship.
-
R641Page 136The grandmother did not like being advised to stay away from the children for “bonding” purposes.
-
R642Page 136The grandmother did not understand the need for supervised visits. Recommendations
-
R643Page 136Provide counseling for guardians/relatives interested in placing juveniles in the foster family/adoptive agency process.
-
R644Page 136Provide specific policy notification regarding visitation.
-
R645Page 132Director of the Department of Social Services via Board of Supervisors (90 days) 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 129 Health & Social Services Committee 130 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Cache Creek Dam Calpine Geothermal Code Enforcement Community Development Agency Lampson Field Airport Public Works Department Special Districts Taylor Observatory Vector Control-Mosquito Abatement PLANNING & PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OVERSIGHTS Citizen’s Complaint on Building & Use Permits Citizens Low Water Pressure Complaint
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R646Page 116To promote New Beginnings, place articles in newspapers explaining their program services and accomplishments.
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R647Page 116Hire a grant writer to take advantage of grants to make them solvent, and less dependent on government monies that are sometimes in arrears.
-
R648Department Head via Board of Supervisors 90 days 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 109 Health & Social Services Committee 110 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee Public Health-Jail Medical
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R649Page 118The employees of CFMG are not county employees and are not unionized.
-
R650Page 118Inmates are given a handbook that explains medical services available and how to obtain the services.
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R651Page 118A local doctor is the lead doctor for the facility and is on site once a week to review records and discuss cases with the Physician Assistant (PA) or Registered Nurse (RN).
-
R652Page 118The PA is on-site Monday through Thursday from 9-4. A dentist is on-site two days per month for a total of 16 hours, and sees between 20-30 inmates during those two days. A psychiatric RN is on-site four days a week.
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R653Page 118Twenty-three percent of the medical cases are psychiatric or drug related as compared to seventy-seven percent of the medical cases. However, the twenty-three percent group takes more time to deal with than the seventy-seven percent medical group.
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R654Page 119There is a $3.00 charge for medical services every time an inmate receives medical treatment. When an inmate is unable to pay, the service is still given, and when the inmate receives money the fee is then collected. In instances when there is no money to be collected from the inmate, the county pays the charges.
-
R655Page 119There are no charges for prescription medications given to inmates.
-
R656Page 119In cases when an individual is detained due to intoxication, the individual is placed in the “sobering cell” and monitored.
-
R657Page 119Upon inmates being booked, medical conditions are assessed by the officers on duty, and if needed, by the nurse. The doctor may be called if necessary.
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R658Page 119There are 10-12 suicide threats per week, but only one or two are actually attempted. When a threat is received, officers check on the inmate every 15 minutes and the nurse checks every four hours. There are nurses on-site 24/7.
-
R659Page 119When an inmate is hospitalized, CFMG pays for the first $15,000.00 of the cost with the county paying the remainder.
-
R660Page 119In the event an inmate requests a specific physician, the inmate is responsible for the fee and the cost of transportation to receive the treatment. This request seldom occurs.
-
R661Page 119An average of $10,000.00 is provided by CFMG each month. The contract is based on 280 inmates. If the census exceeds this amount, CFMG receives more money, in the event the census is lower, CFMG pays money back to the facility.
-
R662Page 119The medical services lacking in the jail and juvenile hall are a surgery center and a dialysis center.
-
R663Page 119There is no mental discharge planner on site.
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R664Page 119Someone from mental health contacts the inmate almost daily.
-
R665Page 119CFMG has a quarterly quality assurance meeting and has invited representatives from Sutter Lakeside Hospital to attend.
-
R666Page 119The Mental Health Director is also invited to the quarterly meetings and has only attended one or two in the past and no longer attends.
-
R667Page 119The response to calls to the Mental Health Crisis Team is very slow, sometimes, taking two to three days to respond. 112 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee
-
R668Page 120The Mental Health Director attends quarterly meetings.
-
R669Page 120Make assessments in a timely fashion.
-
R670Page 120A Sutter Lakeside Hospital representative attend the quarterly meetings.
-
R671Page 120Director of Public Health via Board of Supervisors 90 days 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 113 Health & Social Services Committee 114 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee Child Protective Services – Petitions Report
-
R672Page 124Other County Grand Juries within the State of California have been granted access to CPS files by court order.2
-
R673Page 124The 2008-2009 Grand Jury continue the process of obtaining CPS records for the three complaints named in the petitions. Grand Jury Final Reports from California counties relative to Child Protective Services; San Diego County, Solano County. 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 117 Health & Social Services Committee 118 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 119 Health & Social Services Committee 120 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee Alcohol and Other Drugs Services Ethics Violation Complaint
-
R674Page 128Engaging in any relationship with a client before the client has been discharged for two years is a violation of Lake County’s Code of Conduct.
-
R675Page 128A program (local) shall report to the Department (state) any alleged violation by a registrant or certified counselor within 24 hours of becoming aware of said violation. AODS Code of Conduct 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 121 Health & Social Services Committee
-
R676Page 129The Administrator of AODS does not possess the certification that is required for the job: “Current California certification as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor”.
-
R677Page 129The counselor responsible for reporting the inappropriate conduct to the Administrator did so in early July 2007.
-
R678Page 129Other employees stated knowing about the inappropriate conduct in July 2007 and finally sent an anonymous letter to the state department of AODS on August 10, 2007. A second letter went to the Administrator on September 6, 2007.
-
R679Page 129One employee said, “You can’t imagine what is happening there. It shatters everything we try to do. We have to keep secrets while telling clients to open up.” The stress level is very high.
-
R680Page 129The morale at AODS is very low with an Administrator who is known to be verbally abusive, vindictive, difficult to work with, and erratic.
-
R681Page 129The Administrator did not notify the State Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs or the counselor’s certifying organization within the 24 hours mandated by the State regulations.
-
R682Page 129The Administrator stated learning of the inappropriate conduct on July 26, 2007.
-
R683Page 129The counselor was put on administrative leave September 10, 2007.
-
R684Page 129The counselor was allowed to resign and did so to the Director of Mental Health on September 20, 2007.
-
R685Page 129The counselor became vested with the County of Lake on September 16, 2007.
-
R686Page 129The Administrator of AODS notified the counselor’s certifying agency of the inappropriate conduct and that the counselor had resigned his position via letter on October 3, 2007.
-
R687Page 129Hire a properly certified and human relationship skilled person to replace the current Administrator.
-
R688Page 129Make every effort to cultivate employee trust and smooth over the damage that has occurred.
-
R689Department Head via Board of Supervisors 90 days 122 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee Child Protective Services: Complaint 1
-
R690Page 130The complainant, who was the paternal grandmother, was trying to become the foster parent to the youngest grandson.
-
R691Page 130The complainant was already the guardian for an older grandchild.
-
R692Page 130The birth mother had been in and out of the younger child’s life causing instability. The younger grandchild stayed with the complainant often when the mother was away.
-
R693Page 130The complainant believed the mother’s behavior was becoming detrimental to the child and placed the child into the CPS system with the intention of becoming the foster parent for the child. The complainant stated they did not know this action would cause confusion and trauma in the family.
-
R694Page 130A problem arose regarding a 25-30 year-old criminal history. The complainant stated that CPS did not provide a copy of the Department of Justice criminal record. The complainant alleged that this violated CPS Policies and Procedures regarding background checks. 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 123 Health & Social Services Committee
-
R695Page 131The complainant stated that none of the 25-30 year- old offenses would “bar the individual from ever being approved for placement of the child”. The “five-year restriction” did not apply to the 25-30 year old criminal records.
-
R696Page 131The complainant believed CPS had complete “say so” over the foster care approval process, only to find out CPS contracts with other agencies for foster home approval.
-
R697The complainant allegedly took in another child willingly during this time at the request of CPS.
-
R698The complainant believes that overnight visits suddenly were stopped because CPS learned that the complainant and the foster family were working together without including the social workers.
-
R699The complainants issues were: o Frustration and confusion. o Feelings of “us against them”. o The confidentiality laws regarding protected juveniles added to the frustration and seemed unnecessary to the complainant. o The rules, policies, and procedures appeared more important than the best interests of the children. o What looked like a “cookie cutter decision”, without flexibility, felt more detrimental in the long run.
-
R700Page 131Only the complainant’s version of events is unrestricted and available for this report. Consequently, all Facts/Findings are based on information provided by the complainant.
-
R701Page 131The younger grandson is under CPS custody.
-
R702Page 131CPS referred the case to the state for an exemption hearing for the complainant and the complainant’s husband. CPS revised the policy for this case and handled the exemption hearing at the county level. 124 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee
-
R703Page 132Develop a simple and informative outline of explaining the process that families must follow to become a foster parent.
-
R704Page 132Inform applicants what information can not be released regarding foster children.
-
R705Page 132Director of the Department of Social Services via Board of Supervisors (90 days) 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 125 Health & Social Services Committee
-
R706CPS placed the complainant’s grandchildren in emergency foster care when the complainant’s daughter, the biological mother, was arrested.
-
R707Page 133CPS did not notify any of the extended family of the children’s placement into foster care.
-
R708When the complainant learned of the daughter’s incarceration, the complainant called CPS. During this conversation, the complainant learned from CPS the grandchildren were in foster care and nothing could be done until the next morning. Conducting interviews with CPS but maintaining anonymity of the complainant in the scenarios made asking questions difficult without pinpointing follow-up questions. This type of complaint was very difficult and precarious to investigate. Without the ability to ask specific questions, it is difficult to identify the correct course of action. 126 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee
-
R709Page 134The committee could only hear one side of this complaint due to State Mandated confidentiality laws protecting juveniles.
-
R710Page 134After reading letters received by the complainant from the grandchild, the letters appeared to contain mentally advanced content that may have been written or dictated by an adult.
-
R711Page 134The children were appropriately removed from the biological mother at the time of the arrest and incarceration.
-
R712Page 134Develop a follow-up system to advise extended family of the disposition of juveniles of arrested/incarcerated individuals as a courtesy even if the children will not be placed with that relative.
-
R713Page 132Director of the Department of Social Services via Board of Supervisors (90 days) 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 127 Health & Social Services Committee
-
R714Page 135Initially, the complainant’s daughter was in jail and the children had been living with the complainant. The older children were teenagers and the younger children were just starting school.
-
R715Shortly thereafter the complainant’s health began deteriorating and the children were released by the complainant to the foster care system via CPS.
-
R716Page 135The first foster parents seemed to be the perfect match, agreeing to allow the complainant to remain an active involved grandmother.
-
R717Page 135The complainant stated that the foster/adoptive couple curtailed the complainant from visits without advanced notice.
-
R718Page 135Both children began to act out in various ways and the complainant tried intervening.
-
R719Page 135The children told the complainant that the foster parents were mean, possibly abusive, and sent the children to bed without dinner.
-
R720Page 135After questioning the children about these incidents, the complainant expressed concerns to CPS about the foster family.
-
R721The children were moved to a new foster family. 128 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee
-
R722Page 136The new foster family was willing to continue visits with the grandmother.
-
R723Page 136The complainant, foster family, and children were becoming an extended family. Discussions of family outings with the complainant and adoptive parents is occurring.
-
R724Page 136The adoptive agency advised the grandmother that in order to give the adoptive parents time to “bond” with the adoptive family, space needed to be made in the grandmother/grandchild relationship.
-
R725Page 136The grandmother did not like being advised to stay away from the children for “bonding” purposes.
-
R726Page 136The grandmother did not understand the need for supervised visits. Recommendations
-
R727Page 136Provide counseling for guardians/relatives interested in placing juveniles in the foster family/adoptive agency process.
-
R728Page 136Provide specific policy notification regarding visitation.
-
R729Page 132Director of the Department of Social Services via Board of Supervisors (90 days) 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 129 Health & Social Services Committee 130 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Cache Creek Dam Calpine Geothermal Code Enforcement Community Development Agency Lampson Field Airport Public Works Department Special Districts Taylor Observatory Vector Control-Mosquito Abatement PLANNING & PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OVERSIGHTS Citizen’s Complaint on Building & Use Permits Citizens Low Water Pressure Complaint
-
R730Page 120The Mental Health Director attends quarterly meetings.
-
R731Page 120Make assessments in a timely fashion.
-
R732Page 120A Sutter Lakeside Hospital representative attend the quarterly meetings.
-
R733Page 120Director of Public Health via Board of Supervisors 90 days 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 113 Health & Social Services Committee 114 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee Child Protective Services – Petitions Report
-
R734Page 124Other County Grand Juries within the State of California have been granted access to CPS files by court order.2
-
R735Page 124The 2008-2009 Grand Jury continue the process of obtaining CPS records for the three complaints named in the petitions. Grand Jury Final Reports from California counties relative to Child Protective Services; San Diego County, Solano County. 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 117 Health & Social Services Committee 118 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 119 Health & Social Services Committee 120 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee Alcohol and Other Drugs Services Ethics Violation Complaint
-
R736Page 128Engaging in any relationship with a client before the client has been discharged for two years is a violation of Lake County’s Code of Conduct.
-
R737Page 128A program (local) shall report to the Department (state) any alleged violation by a registrant or certified counselor within 24 hours of becoming aware of said violation. AODS Code of Conduct 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 121 Health & Social Services Committee
-
R738Page 129The Administrator of AODS does not possess the certification that is required for the job: “Current California certification as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor”.
-
R739Page 129The counselor responsible for reporting the inappropriate conduct to the Administrator did so in early July 2007.
-
R740Page 129Other employees stated knowing about the inappropriate conduct in July 2007 and finally sent an anonymous letter to the state department of AODS on August 10, 2007. A second letter went to the Administrator on September 6, 2007.
-
R741Page 129One employee said, “You can’t imagine what is happening there. It shatters everything we try to do. We have to keep secrets while telling clients to open up.” The stress level is very high.
-
R742Page 129The morale at AODS is very low with an Administrator who is known to be verbally abusive, vindictive, difficult to work with, and erratic.
-
R743Page 129The Administrator did not notify the State Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs or the counselor’s certifying organization within the 24 hours mandated by the State regulations.
-
R744Page 129The Administrator stated learning of the inappropriate conduct on July 26, 2007.
-
R745Page 129The counselor was put on administrative leave September 10, 2007.
-
R746Page 129The counselor was allowed to resign and did so to the Director of Mental Health on September 20, 2007.
-
R747Page 129The counselor became vested with the County of Lake on September 16, 2007.
-
R748Page 129The Administrator of AODS notified the counselor’s certifying agency of the inappropriate conduct and that the counselor had resigned his position via letter on October 3, 2007.
-
R749Page 129Hire a properly certified and human relationship skilled person to replace the current Administrator.
-
R750Page 129Make every effort to cultivate employee trust and smooth over the damage that has occurred.
-
R751Department Head via Board of Supervisors 90 days 122 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee Child Protective Services: Complaint 1
-
R752Page 130The complainant, who was the paternal grandmother, was trying to become the foster parent to the youngest grandson.
-
R753Page 130The complainant was already the guardian for an older grandchild.
-
R754Page 130The birth mother had been in and out of the younger child’s life causing instability. The younger grandchild stayed with the complainant often when the mother was away.
-
R755Page 130The complainant believed the mother’s behavior was becoming detrimental to the child and placed the child into the CPS system with the intention of becoming the foster parent for the child. The complainant stated they did not know this action would cause confusion and trauma in the family.
-
R756Page 130A problem arose regarding a 25-30 year-old criminal history. The complainant stated that CPS did not provide a copy of the Department of Justice criminal record. The complainant alleged that this violated CPS Policies and Procedures regarding background checks. 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 123 Health & Social Services Committee
-
R757Page 131The complainant stated that none of the 25-30 year- old offenses would “bar the individual from ever being approved for placement of the child”. The “five-year restriction” did not apply to the 25-30 year old criminal records.
-
R758Page 131The complainant believed CPS had complete “say so” over the foster care approval process, only to find out CPS contracts with other agencies for foster home approval.
-
R759The complainant allegedly took in another child willingly during this time at the request of CPS.
-
R760The complainant believes that overnight visits suddenly were stopped because CPS learned that the complainant and the foster family were working together without including the social workers.
-
R761The complainants issues were: o Frustration and confusion. o Feelings of “us against them”. o The confidentiality laws regarding protected juveniles added to the frustration and seemed unnecessary to the complainant. o The rules, policies, and procedures appeared more important than the best interests of the children. o What looked like a “cookie cutter decision”, without flexibility, felt more detrimental in the long run.
-
R762Page 131Only the complainant’s version of events is unrestricted and available for this report. Consequently, all Facts/Findings are based on information provided by the complainant.
-
R763Page 131The younger grandson is under CPS custody.
-
R764Page 131CPS referred the case to the state for an exemption hearing for the complainant and the complainant’s husband. CPS revised the policy for this case and handled the exemption hearing at the county level. 124 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee
-
R765Page 132Develop a simple and informative outline of explaining the process that families must follow to become a foster parent.
-
R766Page 132Inform applicants what information can not be released regarding foster children.
-
R767Page 132Director of the Department of Social Services via Board of Supervisors (90 days) 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 125 Health & Social Services Committee
-
R768CPS placed the complainant’s grandchildren in emergency foster care when the complainant’s daughter, the biological mother, was arrested.
-
R769Page 133CPS did not notify any of the extended family of the children’s placement into foster care.
-
R770When the complainant learned of the daughter’s incarceration, the complainant called CPS. During this conversation, the complainant learned from CPS the grandchildren were in foster care and nothing could be done until the next morning. Conducting interviews with CPS but maintaining anonymity of the complainant in the scenarios made asking questions difficult without pinpointing follow-up questions. This type of complaint was very difficult and precarious to investigate. Without the ability to ask specific questions, it is difficult to identify the correct course of action. 126 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee
-
R771Page 134The committee could only hear one side of this complaint due to State Mandated confidentiality laws protecting juveniles.
-
R772Page 134After reading letters received by the complainant from the grandchild, the letters appeared to contain mentally advanced content that may have been written or dictated by an adult.
-
R773Page 134The children were appropriately removed from the biological mother at the time of the arrest and incarceration.
-
R774Page 134Develop a follow-up system to advise extended family of the disposition of juveniles of arrested/incarcerated individuals as a courtesy even if the children will not be placed with that relative.
-
R775Page 132Director of the Department of Social Services via Board of Supervisors (90 days) 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 127 Health & Social Services Committee
-
R776Page 135Initially, the complainant’s daughter was in jail and the children had been living with the complainant. The older children were teenagers and the younger children were just starting school.
-
R777Shortly thereafter the complainant’s health began deteriorating and the children were released by the complainant to the foster care system via CPS.
-
R778Page 135The first foster parents seemed to be the perfect match, agreeing to allow the complainant to remain an active involved grandmother.
-
R779Page 135The complainant stated that the foster/adoptive couple curtailed the complainant from visits without advanced notice.
-
R780Page 135Both children began to act out in various ways and the complainant tried intervening.
-
R781Page 135The children told the complainant that the foster parents were mean, possibly abusive, and sent the children to bed without dinner.
-
R782Page 135After questioning the children about these incidents, the complainant expressed concerns to CPS about the foster family.
-
R783The children were moved to a new foster family. 128 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee
-
R784Page 136The new foster family was willing to continue visits with the grandmother.
-
R785Page 136The complainant, foster family, and children were becoming an extended family. Discussions of family outings with the complainant and adoptive parents is occurring.
-
R786Page 136The adoptive agency advised the grandmother that in order to give the adoptive parents time to “bond” with the adoptive family, space needed to be made in the grandmother/grandchild relationship.
-
R787Page 136The grandmother did not like being advised to stay away from the children for “bonding” purposes.
-
R788Page 136The grandmother did not understand the need for supervised visits. Recommendations
-
R789Page 136Provide counseling for guardians/relatives interested in placing juveniles in the foster family/adoptive agency process.
-
R790Page 136Provide specific policy notification regarding visitation.
-
R791Page 132Director of the Department of Social Services via Board of Supervisors (90 days) 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 129 Health & Social Services Committee 130 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Cache Creek Dam Calpine Geothermal Code Enforcement Community Development Agency Lampson Field Airport Public Works Department Special Districts Taylor Observatory Vector Control-Mosquito Abatement PLANNING & PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OVERSIGHTS Citizen’s Complaint on Building & Use Permits Citizens Low Water Pressure Complaint
-
R792Page 124The 2008-2009 Grand Jury continue the process of obtaining CPS records for the three complaints named in the petitions. Grand Jury Final Reports from California counties relative to Child Protective Services; San Diego County, Solano County. 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 117 Health & Social Services Committee 118 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 119 Health & Social Services Committee 120 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee Alcohol and Other Drugs Services Ethics Violation Complaint
-
R793Page 128Engaging in any relationship with a client before the client has been discharged for two years is a violation of Lake County’s Code of Conduct.
-
R794Page 128A program (local) shall report to the Department (state) any alleged violation by a registrant or certified counselor within 24 hours of becoming aware of said violation. AODS Code of Conduct 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 121 Health & Social Services Committee
-
R795Page 129The Administrator of AODS does not possess the certification that is required for the job: “Current California certification as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor”.
-
R796Page 129The counselor responsible for reporting the inappropriate conduct to the Administrator did so in early July 2007.
-
R797Page 129Other employees stated knowing about the inappropriate conduct in July 2007 and finally sent an anonymous letter to the state department of AODS on August 10, 2007. A second letter went to the Administrator on September 6, 2007.
-
R798Page 129One employee said, “You can’t imagine what is happening there. It shatters everything we try to do. We have to keep secrets while telling clients to open up.” The stress level is very high.
-
R799Page 129The morale at AODS is very low with an Administrator who is known to be verbally abusive, vindictive, difficult to work with, and erratic.
-
R800Page 129The Administrator did not notify the State Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs or the counselor’s certifying organization within the 24 hours mandated by the State regulations.
-
R801Page 129The Administrator stated learning of the inappropriate conduct on July 26, 2007.
-
R802Page 129The counselor was put on administrative leave September 10, 2007.
-
R803Page 129The counselor was allowed to resign and did so to the Director of Mental Health on September 20, 2007.
-
R804Page 129The counselor became vested with the County of Lake on September 16, 2007.
-
R805Page 129The Administrator of AODS notified the counselor’s certifying agency of the inappropriate conduct and that the counselor had resigned his position via letter on October 3, 2007.
-
R806Page 129Hire a properly certified and human relationship skilled person to replace the current Administrator.
-
R807Page 129Make every effort to cultivate employee trust and smooth over the damage that has occurred.
-
R808Department Head via Board of Supervisors 90 days 122 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee Child Protective Services: Complaint 1
-
R809Page 130The complainant, who was the paternal grandmother, was trying to become the foster parent to the youngest grandson.
-
R810Page 130The complainant was already the guardian for an older grandchild.
-
R811Page 130The birth mother had been in and out of the younger child’s life causing instability. The younger grandchild stayed with the complainant often when the mother was away.
-
R812Page 130The complainant believed the mother’s behavior was becoming detrimental to the child and placed the child into the CPS system with the intention of becoming the foster parent for the child. The complainant stated they did not know this action would cause confusion and trauma in the family.
-
R813Page 130A problem arose regarding a 25-30 year-old criminal history. The complainant stated that CPS did not provide a copy of the Department of Justice criminal record. The complainant alleged that this violated CPS Policies and Procedures regarding background checks. 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 123 Health & Social Services Committee
-
R814Page 131The complainant stated that none of the 25-30 year- old offenses would “bar the individual from ever being approved for placement of the child”. The “five-year restriction” did not apply to the 25-30 year old criminal records.
-
R815Page 131The complainant believed CPS had complete “say so” over the foster care approval process, only to find out CPS contracts with other agencies for foster home approval.
-
R816The complainant allegedly took in another child willingly during this time at the request of CPS.
-
R817The complainant believes that overnight visits suddenly were stopped because CPS learned that the complainant and the foster family were working together without including the social workers.
-
R818The complainants issues were: o Frustration and confusion. o Feelings of “us against them”. o The confidentiality laws regarding protected juveniles added to the frustration and seemed unnecessary to the complainant. o The rules, policies, and procedures appeared more important than the best interests of the children. o What looked like a “cookie cutter decision”, without flexibility, felt more detrimental in the long run.
-
R819Page 131Only the complainant’s version of events is unrestricted and available for this report. Consequently, all Facts/Findings are based on information provided by the complainant.
-
R820Page 131The younger grandson is under CPS custody.
-
R821Page 131CPS referred the case to the state for an exemption hearing for the complainant and the complainant’s husband. CPS revised the policy for this case and handled the exemption hearing at the county level. 124 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee
-
R822Page 132Develop a simple and informative outline of explaining the process that families must follow to become a foster parent.
-
R823Page 132Inform applicants what information can not be released regarding foster children.
-
R824Page 132Director of the Department of Social Services via Board of Supervisors (90 days) 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 125 Health & Social Services Committee
-
R825CPS placed the complainant’s grandchildren in emergency foster care when the complainant’s daughter, the biological mother, was arrested.
-
R826Page 133CPS did not notify any of the extended family of the children’s placement into foster care.
-
R827When the complainant learned of the daughter’s incarceration, the complainant called CPS. During this conversation, the complainant learned from CPS the grandchildren were in foster care and nothing could be done until the next morning. Conducting interviews with CPS but maintaining anonymity of the complainant in the scenarios made asking questions difficult without pinpointing follow-up questions. This type of complaint was very difficult and precarious to investigate. Without the ability to ask specific questions, it is difficult to identify the correct course of action. 126 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee
-
R828Page 134The committee could only hear one side of this complaint due to State Mandated confidentiality laws protecting juveniles.
-
R829Page 134After reading letters received by the complainant from the grandchild, the letters appeared to contain mentally advanced content that may have been written or dictated by an adult.
-
R830Page 134The children were appropriately removed from the biological mother at the time of the arrest and incarceration.
-
R831Page 134Develop a follow-up system to advise extended family of the disposition of juveniles of arrested/incarcerated individuals as a courtesy even if the children will not be placed with that relative.
-
R832Page 132Director of the Department of Social Services via Board of Supervisors (90 days) 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 127 Health & Social Services Committee
-
R833Page 135Initially, the complainant’s daughter was in jail and the children had been living with the complainant. The older children were teenagers and the younger children were just starting school.
-
R834Shortly thereafter the complainant’s health began deteriorating and the children were released by the complainant to the foster care system via CPS.
-
R835Page 135The first foster parents seemed to be the perfect match, agreeing to allow the complainant to remain an active involved grandmother.
-
R836Page 135The complainant stated that the foster/adoptive couple curtailed the complainant from visits without advanced notice.
-
R837Page 135Both children began to act out in various ways and the complainant tried intervening.
-
R838Page 135The children told the complainant that the foster parents were mean, possibly abusive, and sent the children to bed without dinner.
-
R839Page 135After questioning the children about these incidents, the complainant expressed concerns to CPS about the foster family.
-
R840The children were moved to a new foster family. 128 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee
-
R841Page 136The new foster family was willing to continue visits with the grandmother.
-
R842Page 136The complainant, foster family, and children were becoming an extended family. Discussions of family outings with the complainant and adoptive parents is occurring.
-
R843Page 136The adoptive agency advised the grandmother that in order to give the adoptive parents time to “bond” with the adoptive family, space needed to be made in the grandmother/grandchild relationship.
-
R844Page 136The grandmother did not like being advised to stay away from the children for “bonding” purposes.
-
R845Page 136The grandmother did not understand the need for supervised visits. Recommendations
-
R846Page 136Provide counseling for guardians/relatives interested in placing juveniles in the foster family/adoptive agency process.
-
R847Page 136Provide specific policy notification regarding visitation.
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R848Page 132Director of the Department of Social Services via Board of Supervisors (90 days) 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 129 Health & Social Services Committee 130 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Cache Creek Dam Calpine Geothermal Code Enforcement Community Development Agency Lampson Field Airport Public Works Department Special Districts Taylor Observatory Vector Control-Mosquito Abatement PLANNING & PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OVERSIGHTS Citizen’s Complaint on Building & Use Permits Citizens Low Water Pressure Complaint
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R849Page 129Hire a properly certified and human relationship skilled person to replace the current Administrator.
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R850Page 129Make every effort to cultivate employee trust and smooth over the damage that has occurred.
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R851Department Head via Board of Supervisors 90 days 122 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee Child Protective Services: Complaint 1
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R852Page 130The complainant, who was the paternal grandmother, was trying to become the foster parent to the youngest grandson.
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R853Page 130The complainant was already the guardian for an older grandchild.
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R854Page 130The birth mother had been in and out of the younger child’s life causing instability. The younger grandchild stayed with the complainant often when the mother was away.
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R855Page 130The complainant believed the mother’s behavior was becoming detrimental to the child and placed the child into the CPS system with the intention of becoming the foster parent for the child. The complainant stated they did not know this action would cause confusion and trauma in the family.
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R856Page 130A problem arose regarding a 25-30 year-old criminal history. The complainant stated that CPS did not provide a copy of the Department of Justice criminal record. The complainant alleged that this violated CPS Policies and Procedures regarding background checks. 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 123 Health & Social Services Committee
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R857Page 131The complainant stated that none of the 25-30 year- old offenses would “bar the individual from ever being approved for placement of the child”. The “five-year restriction” did not apply to the 25-30 year old criminal records.
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R858Page 131The complainant believed CPS had complete “say so” over the foster care approval process, only to find out CPS contracts with other agencies for foster home approval.
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R859The complainant allegedly took in another child willingly during this time at the request of CPS.
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R860The complainant believes that overnight visits suddenly were stopped because CPS learned that the complainant and the foster family were working together without including the social workers.
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R861The complainants issues were: o Frustration and confusion. o Feelings of “us against them”. o The confidentiality laws regarding protected juveniles added to the frustration and seemed unnecessary to the complainant. o The rules, policies, and procedures appeared more important than the best interests of the children. o What looked like a “cookie cutter decision”, without flexibility, felt more detrimental in the long run.
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R862Page 131Only the complainant’s version of events is unrestricted and available for this report. Consequently, all Facts/Findings are based on information provided by the complainant.
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R863Page 131The younger grandson is under CPS custody.
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R864Page 131CPS referred the case to the state for an exemption hearing for the complainant and the complainant’s husband. CPS revised the policy for this case and handled the exemption hearing at the county level. 124 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee
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R865Page 132Develop a simple and informative outline of explaining the process that families must follow to become a foster parent.
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R866Page 132Inform applicants what information can not be released regarding foster children.
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R867Page 132Director of the Department of Social Services via Board of Supervisors (90 days) 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 125 Health & Social Services Committee
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R868CPS placed the complainant’s grandchildren in emergency foster care when the complainant’s daughter, the biological mother, was arrested.
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R869Page 133CPS did not notify any of the extended family of the children’s placement into foster care.
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R870When the complainant learned of the daughter’s incarceration, the complainant called CPS. During this conversation, the complainant learned from CPS the grandchildren were in foster care and nothing could be done until the next morning. Conducting interviews with CPS but maintaining anonymity of the complainant in the scenarios made asking questions difficult without pinpointing follow-up questions. This type of complaint was very difficult and precarious to investigate. Without the ability to ask specific questions, it is difficult to identify the correct course of action. 126 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee
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R871Page 134The committee could only hear one side of this complaint due to State Mandated confidentiality laws protecting juveniles.
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R872Page 134After reading letters received by the complainant from the grandchild, the letters appeared to contain mentally advanced content that may have been written or dictated by an adult.
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R873Page 134The children were appropriately removed from the biological mother at the time of the arrest and incarceration.
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R874Page 134Develop a follow-up system to advise extended family of the disposition of juveniles of arrested/incarcerated individuals as a courtesy even if the children will not be placed with that relative.
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R875Page 132Director of the Department of Social Services via Board of Supervisors (90 days) 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 127 Health & Social Services Committee
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R876Page 135Initially, the complainant’s daughter was in jail and the children had been living with the complainant. The older children were teenagers and the younger children were just starting school.
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R877Shortly thereafter the complainant’s health began deteriorating and the children were released by the complainant to the foster care system via CPS.
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R878Page 135The first foster parents seemed to be the perfect match, agreeing to allow the complainant to remain an active involved grandmother.
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R879Page 135The complainant stated that the foster/adoptive couple curtailed the complainant from visits without advanced notice.
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R880Page 135Both children began to act out in various ways and the complainant tried intervening.
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R881Page 135The children told the complainant that the foster parents were mean, possibly abusive, and sent the children to bed without dinner.
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R882Page 135After questioning the children about these incidents, the complainant expressed concerns to CPS about the foster family.
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R883The children were moved to a new foster family. 128 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee
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R884Page 136The new foster family was willing to continue visits with the grandmother.
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R885Page 136The complainant, foster family, and children were becoming an extended family. Discussions of family outings with the complainant and adoptive parents is occurring.
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R886Page 136The adoptive agency advised the grandmother that in order to give the adoptive parents time to “bond” with the adoptive family, space needed to be made in the grandmother/grandchild relationship.
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R887Page 136The grandmother did not like being advised to stay away from the children for “bonding” purposes.
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R888Page 136The grandmother did not understand the need for supervised visits. Recommendations
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R889Page 136Provide counseling for guardians/relatives interested in placing juveniles in the foster family/adoptive agency process.
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R890Page 136Provide specific policy notification regarding visitation.
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R891Page 132Director of the Department of Social Services via Board of Supervisors (90 days) 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 129 Health & Social Services Committee 130 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Cache Creek Dam Calpine Geothermal Code Enforcement Community Development Agency Lampson Field Airport Public Works Department Special Districts Taylor Observatory Vector Control-Mosquito Abatement PLANNING & PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OVERSIGHTS Citizen’s Complaint on Building & Use Permits Citizens Low Water Pressure Complaint
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R892Page 132Develop a simple and informative outline of explaining the process that families must follow to become a foster parent.
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R893Page 132Inform applicants what information can not be released regarding foster children.
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R894Page 132Director of the Department of Social Services via Board of Supervisors (90 days) 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 125 Health & Social Services Committee
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R895CPS placed the complainant’s grandchildren in emergency foster care when the complainant’s daughter, the biological mother, was arrested.
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R896Page 133CPS did not notify any of the extended family of the children’s placement into foster care.
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R897When the complainant learned of the daughter’s incarceration, the complainant called CPS. During this conversation, the complainant learned from CPS the grandchildren were in foster care and nothing could be done until the next morning. Conducting interviews with CPS but maintaining anonymity of the complainant in the scenarios made asking questions difficult without pinpointing follow-up questions. This type of complaint was very difficult and precarious to investigate. Without the ability to ask specific questions, it is difficult to identify the correct course of action. 126 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee
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R898Page 134The committee could only hear one side of this complaint due to State Mandated confidentiality laws protecting juveniles.
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R899Page 134After reading letters received by the complainant from the grandchild, the letters appeared to contain mentally advanced content that may have been written or dictated by an adult.
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R900Page 134The children were appropriately removed from the biological mother at the time of the arrest and incarceration.
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R901Page 134Develop a follow-up system to advise extended family of the disposition of juveniles of arrested/incarcerated individuals as a courtesy even if the children will not be placed with that relative.
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R902Page 132Director of the Department of Social Services via Board of Supervisors (90 days) 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 127 Health & Social Services Committee
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R903Page 135Initially, the complainant’s daughter was in jail and the children had been living with the complainant. The older children were teenagers and the younger children were just starting school.
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R904Shortly thereafter the complainant’s health began deteriorating and the children were released by the complainant to the foster care system via CPS.
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R905Page 135The first foster parents seemed to be the perfect match, agreeing to allow the complainant to remain an active involved grandmother.
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R906Page 135The complainant stated that the foster/adoptive couple curtailed the complainant from visits without advanced notice.
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R907Page 135Both children began to act out in various ways and the complainant tried intervening.
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R908Page 135The children told the complainant that the foster parents were mean, possibly abusive, and sent the children to bed without dinner.
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R909Page 135After questioning the children about these incidents, the complainant expressed concerns to CPS about the foster family.
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R910The children were moved to a new foster family. 128 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee
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R911Page 136The new foster family was willing to continue visits with the grandmother.
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R912Page 136The complainant, foster family, and children were becoming an extended family. Discussions of family outings with the complainant and adoptive parents is occurring.
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R913Page 136The adoptive agency advised the grandmother that in order to give the adoptive parents time to “bond” with the adoptive family, space needed to be made in the grandmother/grandchild relationship.
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R914Page 136The grandmother did not like being advised to stay away from the children for “bonding” purposes.
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R915Page 136The grandmother did not understand the need for supervised visits. Recommendations
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R916Page 136Provide counseling for guardians/relatives interested in placing juveniles in the foster family/adoptive agency process.
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R917Page 136Provide specific policy notification regarding visitation.
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R918Page 132Director of the Department of Social Services via Board of Supervisors (90 days) 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 129 Health & Social Services Committee 130 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Cache Creek Dam Calpine Geothermal Code Enforcement Community Development Agency Lampson Field Airport Public Works Department Special Districts Taylor Observatory Vector Control-Mosquito Abatement PLANNING & PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OVERSIGHTS Citizen’s Complaint on Building & Use Permits Citizens Low Water Pressure Complaint
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R919Page 134Develop a follow-up system to advise extended family of the disposition of juveniles of arrested/incarcerated individuals as a courtesy even if the children will not be placed with that relative.
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R920Page 132Director of the Department of Social Services via Board of Supervisors (90 days) 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 127 Health & Social Services Committee
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R921Page 135Initially, the complainant’s daughter was in jail and the children had been living with the complainant. The older children were teenagers and the younger children were just starting school.
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R922Shortly thereafter the complainant’s health began deteriorating and the children were released by the complainant to the foster care system via CPS.
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R923Page 135The first foster parents seemed to be the perfect match, agreeing to allow the complainant to remain an active involved grandmother.
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R924Page 135The complainant stated that the foster/adoptive couple curtailed the complainant from visits without advanced notice.
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R925Page 135Both children began to act out in various ways and the complainant tried intervening.
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R926Page 135The children told the complainant that the foster parents were mean, possibly abusive, and sent the children to bed without dinner.
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R927Page 135After questioning the children about these incidents, the complainant expressed concerns to CPS about the foster family.
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R928The children were moved to a new foster family. 128 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Health & Social Services Committee
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R929Page 136The new foster family was willing to continue visits with the grandmother.
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R930Page 136The complainant, foster family, and children were becoming an extended family. Discussions of family outings with the complainant and adoptive parents is occurring.
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R931Page 136The adoptive agency advised the grandmother that in order to give the adoptive parents time to “bond” with the adoptive family, space needed to be made in the grandmother/grandchild relationship.
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R932Page 136The grandmother did not like being advised to stay away from the children for “bonding” purposes.
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R933Page 136The grandmother did not understand the need for supervised visits. Recommendations
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R934Page 136Provide counseling for guardians/relatives interested in placing juveniles in the foster family/adoptive agency process.
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R935Page 136Provide specific policy notification regarding visitation.
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R936Page 132Director of the Department of Social Services via Board of Supervisors (90 days) 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 129 Health & Social Services Committee 130 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Cache Creek Dam Calpine Geothermal Code Enforcement Community Development Agency Lampson Field Airport Public Works Department Special Districts Taylor Observatory Vector Control-Mosquito Abatement PLANNING & PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OVERSIGHTS Citizen’s Complaint on Building & Use Permits Citizens Low Water Pressure Complaint
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R937Page 136Provide counseling for guardians/relatives interested in placing juveniles in the foster family/adoptive agency process.
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R938Page 136Provide specific policy notification regarding visitation.
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R939Page 132Director of the Department of Social Services via Board of Supervisors (90 days) 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury 129 Health & Social Services Committee 130 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury Cache Creek Dam Calpine Geothermal Code Enforcement Community Development Agency Lampson Field Airport Public Works Department Special Districts Taylor Observatory Vector Control-Mosquito Abatement PLANNING & PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE OVERSIGHTS Citizen’s Complaint on Building & Use Permits Citizens Low Water Pressure Complaint