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Extracted from Consolidated Report
This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings 12 findings
F1
A request was made to review random foster care case files, which was denie per Welfare and Institutions Code Sections 827 and 10850. .
F2
A request was made to ride along with CWS Social Worker to observe living conditions and caseworker interaction with foster parents and foster children which was denied per Welfare and Institutions Code Section 827 and
F3
A request was made to attend juvenile court hearings dealing with custody issues, which was denied per Welfare and Institutions Code Section 827 and 10850.
F4
CWS guidelines require monthly visits by caseworkers. This requirement was not met in all cases. Some cases went up to six months or longer without a visit by a Social Worker.
F5
Mental health evaluations are not routinely performed prior to placing a child in a foster care home.
F6
Visits to birth parents are often traumatic to the foster children resulting in disruptive behavior by the children.
F7
There is little or no instruction given to emancipated youth, by Social Workers, on how to access medical services, social security, or monies for education.
F8
On some occasions children are allowed to interview and help select their own foster parents.
F9
CASA provides effective advocacy for foster care children.
F10
Cuts to the State budget have resulted in the Independent Living Program (ILP) being eliminated.
F11
The ILP provided instruction to foster children to prepare them for self- sufficiency. It included instruction in: a. furthering their education, b. daily living skills, c. seeking employment and d. financial literacy (including budgeting and maintaining bank accounts).
F12
The ILP was very beneficial to the success of foster children becoming productive members of society.
Recommendations 10
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R1Page 57Perform mental health evaluations for foster parents. all foster care children prior to placement.
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R2Page 57Conduct foster care home visits monthly.
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R3Page 57Conduct unannounced visits to foster being eliminated. care homes on a regular basis.
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R4Page 57Prepare foster children for emancipation children to prepare them for self- with more detailed information on the sufficiency. It included instruction in: skills needed to succeed in life. a. furthering their education, Something more than just a brochure. b. daily living skills, c. seeking employment and
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R5Page 57Utilize CASA services whenever a need d. financial literacy (including is indicated. budgeting and maintaining bank accounts).
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R6Page 57Provide the Grand Jury with access to foster care records to monitor the performance of Social Workers and 51 × TULARE COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT 2009-2010 ensure the health and safety of the children in foster care.
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R8Page 56On some occasions children are allowed to interview and help select their own
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R9Page 57CASA provides effective advocacy for foster care children.
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R10Page 57Cuts to the State budget have resulted in the Independent Living Program (ILP)
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R11Page 57The ILP provided instruction to foster
Conclusions 12
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CL1The City made the assertion that refuse collection is a “specialized The fact that the City considered items in service” and as such would fall under the proposals that were not requested in City Ordinance No. 579, Section the RFP indicates that not all of the 3.36.110 relating to “Professional companies that submitted proposals were and Specialized Services”. This playing on an equal playing field. One section states that it applies to “The company was given preference for acquisition of copyrighted and programs that were not required in the patented items, specialized or RFP and other companies were not professional services, and services allowed to adequately respond. If the City for which there is no reasonable was interested in these programs, all alternative which is of equal or better companies that submitted a proposal quality or nature, shall be made by should have been given the opportunity to following the procedures set forth in respond, or the programs should have this Section. been identified in the RFP. A. The purchase order or contract award for such professional or The City claims that since this was a specialized services or materials proposal and not a bid, City Ordinance No. shall have a copy of a statement 579, Section 3.36.100 does not apply. attached thereto by both the Regardless of what the process is called, a vendor or contractor and the City contract was negotiated in violation of City Administrator stating the reasons Ordinance No. 579, Section 3.36.100. and the specific copyright or The Grand Jury does not believe that patent circumstances which have refuse collection would fall under the given rise to the invoking of this “Professional and Specialized Services” exception to the competitive section of the City Ordinance. Paragraph acquisition process set out in this E of this section states “’Professional Chapter. Services’ means work performed by specially trained and experienced persons, The original of such statement shall firms or corporations rendering be filed with the City Clerk.” professional services and advise (sic) such The Grand Jury was unable to find as accounting, auditing, financial advisory, any such statement. securities underwriting, legal, medical, engineering, architectural, environmental,
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CL2The contract negotiated with Sunset economic, real estate, insurance, Waste contains a provision for a appraisal, lobbying, public relations, 13 × TULARE COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT 2009-2010 ordinance codification and publication, or 2. Offer the senior citizen discount similar such highly specialized services.” specified in the contract. However, if refuse collection does fall 3. If the City intends to use the RFP under this exemption the City failed to process, adopt an ordinance to follow it’s own procedures by failing to specify the process. attach a statement stating the “...reasons
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CL3Building maintenance for the Government Plaza was the Emergency and evacuation drills are responsibility of the Tulare County essential and necessary to help save lives Resource Management Agency (RMA) in case of a real emergency. The in December 2009. On January 26, emergency evacuation drill did identify 2010, this responsibility was taken several problematic issues and emergency over by the Tulare County equipment deficiencies. However, not all Administrative Office, General of these issues were discovered at the Services Division. time of the drill. The fact that they were not reported to the Tulare County Safety
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CL4The walk through inspection of the Officer initially, demonstrates the need for Government Plaza revealed: improvement. b. Several emergency lights do not function.
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CL5Board Members address the public only when recognized by the Chairman. This impoverished community has three Districts and a Joint Powers Authority that
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CL6Use a job selection process that ensures must fill their Boards with citizens from within a qualified person is placed in all the service area. A community this small is positions. Promote office staff to unlikely to have enough people with the time, management only when definite interest and experience to function as knowledge, skills and abilities to fill that qualified board members. It appears that the position are demonstrated. needs of the community would be better served by a consolidation to a Public Utilities
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CL7No one other than the Executive District or a Community Service District as Director involve themselves in the day to permitted by law. day operations or management of the Alpaugh JPA. Because Board meetings are not controlled, business cannot be conducted in an orderly
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CL8Amend the By-Laws of the Alpaugh JPA and expeditious manner. This condition is and the Joint Exercise of Powers aggravated by the polarization of the Board. Agreement to appoint an Executive Director only in the absence of a The Alpaugh JPA Board of Directors appear to Manager. have no knowledge of the Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement, the By-Laws or any
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CL9Keep personnel files up to date in a California Government Codes that relate to secure location and provide a written the administration of Special Districts. performance evaluation at least every two years. The over vigilance of staff and yelling at employees created a stressful and hostile
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CL10Comply with Senate Bill 343, which workplace. became law on July 1, 2008, by posting the following notice on the agenda:
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CL11Prior to the consolidation, the firefighters need for equipment and adequate living quarters were lacking. It appears as if the needs of the police were given priority over those of the firefighters. While the City should be commended for cross training police and firefighters, the City should thoroughly investigate the history of the prior consolidation and subsequent separation of functions in an effort to avoid having history repeat itself. Ø 16 TULARE COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT 2009-2010 EXETER DISTRICT AMBULANCE BOARD ON THE MEND?
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CL12Because jackets for use at the Main Jail roof top exercise area are shared, it is possible to transfer disease and/or infestation.
Comments 1
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CO1The contact person on the complaint had no knowledge that a complaint