San Diego County Grand Jury
2018-2019
From the annual report
The consolidated year-end volume. The individual investigations it contains are listed separately below.
📑 Year-End Report
The full consolidated volume; individual reports are listed below.
Individual reports (11)
Quick View
Full Details →
Findings & Recommendations
4 findings
F01:
All four authorizing school districts studied are found to be in compliance with the minimum oversight requirements for their charters.
F02:
The authorizing districts visits are too short and too infrequent for competent oversight.
F03:
Limited oversight visits to home schools, primarily virtual or exclusively virtual schools are ineffective.
F04:
Oversight visits to the charter schools lack direction and criteria-based plans.
Additional Recommendations
3
Not linked to specific findings.
19-37:
Increase the duration and the frequency of their visits to their charters
19-38:
Create and implement a formal, structured, criteria-based plan for guidance
19-39:
Investigate methods for observing and evaluating virtual learning as an
Quick View
Full Details →
Findings & Recommendations
19 findings
F01:
Social workers spend approximately half of their time on documentation and half of their time with the children and parents.
F02:
On average, 12 children need out-of-home placement each day in San Diego County due to abuse and neglect.
F03:
Of the approximately 2,100 children in foster care, 20% of group home children were reported to be abused in their foster home. Most complaints involved physical abuse and/or neglect.
F04:
The County of San Diego’s 985 instances of substantiated maltreatment in foster care were similar to the State of California averages for the same time periods. 33 www.cssr.berkeley.edu/ucb_childwelfare/ 12
F05:
San Diego County social workers often feel overwhelmed with the number of monitored children. With AB 403, the increased need for administrative documentation reduces the time a social worker can spend with a foster child/family.
F06:
CWS management and staff, in all units, need reduced workload sizes.”34
F07:
Some foster families do not feel they have enough contact with their social worker. There are families that feel a lack of communication with CWS workers.
F8:
All foster children caregivers need parent training, respite care or other supportive services.
F9:
Abuse and neglect may be reduced through enhanced screening/training of prospective non-relative and kinship foster parents.
Related Recommendations (1)
19-43:
Request CWS to establish a training program on maltreatment of children
F10:
Safety Organized Practice (SOP) is a required statewide strategy designed to enhance social work skills in family engagement and critical thinking. For the County the percentage increased from 53% in Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 to over 65% in FY2018. The goal is 80% for FY2019.
F11:
For CWS to achieve its mission it is critical for the agency to attract, train, develop and retain a capable and prepared workforce.
F12:
CWS loses a number of social workers per month to different county departments, other outside agencies or retirement.
F13:
High employee turnover negatively impacts clinical outcomes.
Related Recommendations (1)
19-44:
Request CWS to study turnover rates for staff and to develop best practices for
F14:
Communication between the Region and the Hotline workers could be more extensive.
F15:
On average, 15% of Hotline calls were from foster parents stating that the foster child was being abused by someone other than the foster parents.
F16:
The current Hotline system does not notate whether abuse happened before or after entry into foster care.
Related Recommendations (2)
19-41:
Request CWS to investigate the addition of a system to
19-42:
Request CWS to require any new or modified database system to delineate
F17:
Foster child telephone calls to the Child Abuse Hotline are not red flagged as being from a foster child therefore the percentage of calls from foster youth are not tracked. San Diego County Annual Review Written Report, December 6, 2018; The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Resource Family Approval (RFA) Technical assistance team, . 13
Related Recommendations (1)
19-48:
Recommend that Hotline workers specifically document foster child calls and
F18:
The Child Abuse Hotline transfers over to A.B. and Jessie Children’s Polinsky Center from 10:30 pm to 6:00 am every day; however, Polinsky staff training is not as extensive as those stationed at the Hotline.
Related Recommendations (1)
19-49:
Request CWS that all Polinsky workers answering Hotline calls between
F19:
Regional case carrying staff do not have a complete understanding of the Resource Family Agency (RFA) process and its requirements, resulting in a lack of communication with RFA workers when children are in placement.35
Quick View
Full Details →
Findings & Recommendations
9 findings
F01:
Despite the recommendations made in the 2014 CSEC Advisory Council report, there is still a critical shortage of beds for both adult and juvenile human trafficking victims in San Diego.
F02:
Many victims of human trafficking fall within the broad definitions of homelessness and mental illness, and should qualify for funding under Proposition 2.
F03:
SB 1193, requiring businesses to display human trafficking posters, is not being enforced in many areas of San Diego County.
F04:
There is a positive correlation between foster care placement and CSEC susceptibility.
F05:
Training for current and prospective foster parents/resource families does not include a mandatory module in CSEC recognition signs, based on the CSEC 101 training syllabus.
F06:
The RISE Court can be a significant step in transforming a victim, or potential victim, of human trafficking into a survivor.
F07:
Having its own budget and performance outcome measurements would give the RISE Court and its participants a greater sense of sustainability.
F08:
Federal and State grant funding is available for housing and service programs for human trafficking victims.
F09:
A CSEC Advisory Council section on the County website would make its work more transparent and increase its ability to share data with similar agencies other counties.
Additional Recommendations
11
Not linked to specific findings.
R10:
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation http://www.gatesfoundation.org/How-We-Work/General-Information/Grant-Seeking- Resources
R11:
United States Government Grants http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/home Source: Human Trafficking in California: Toolkit for Judicial Officers, Judicial Council of California, 2017, . 18
19-26:
Consider a collaboration that could develop multiple model/shelter programs in
19-27:
Consider evaluating whether human trafficking victims fall within the definitions of
19-28:
In conjunction with the Office of the District Attorney, consider taking steps to
19-29:
Consider establishing separate pro-rated funding for the RISE Court, for the County
19-30:
Consider taking steps to establish a process to develop performance indicators for
19-31:
Consider evaluating ways to provide transportation to the RISE Court to facilitate
19-32:
Consider evaluating the feasibility of requiring elementary training in CSEC for all
19-33:
Consider determing whether the San Diego County Regional Human Trafficking and
19-34:
In conjunction with the County of San Diego's Chief Administrative Officer, consider
Quick View
Full Details →
Findings & Recommendations
3 findings
F01:
Elected officials who set their own compensation and pensions may have an inherent conflict of interest. Fact: A proposed charter amendment requires a majority vote of the registered voters to be enacted. Fact: Changing the process for setting the compensation for the Board of Supervisors requires an amendment to the county charter. Fact: Supervisors in General Law Counties establish their salaries by ordinance which is subject to a referendum of the electorate. Fact: In California, 6 of the other 13 Charter Counties in California have provisions in their charters which limit their supervisors’ ability to increase their compensation without a vote of the people.
F02:
A charter amendment to limit the ability of elected officials to set their own compensation would eliminate any perception of a conflict of interest.
F03:
A charter amendment would give voters the ability to influence the compensation of their elected officials.
Additional Recommendations
4
Not linked to specific findings.
R4:
San Francisco: Charter mandates that salary be set by the independent Civil Service Commission
R5:
San Mateo: Charter provides that raises cannot exceed the increase in the Consumer Price Index for the Bay Area, up to a maximum of 5% per year
R6:
Tehama: Charter establishes a flat salary for members of the Board of Supervisors Witness Interviews: The Grand Jury interviewed representatives from local taxpayer advocacy and voter education groups. While there was no consensus on specific limitations that might be applied, the witnesses all agreed that some restrictions should be adopted to place limits on Supervisors for setting their own salary. One of the suggestions requires that a proposed charter amendment be drafted and put on a future ballot for voter approval. The Grand Jury interviewed a majority of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. There was consensus that the salary increases were deserved and commensurate with the county’s budget and population. At the same time, they indicated that the process of voting for their own salaries put them in a difficult position. Although they all believed that the current formula would not be changed anytime soon, and that a charter amendment would not be necessary, two supervisors said they could support a charter amendment that would limit their ability to set their own salary. Suggested Charter Amendment Options: In light of the above, the Grand Jury is suggesting a charter amendment that would limit the ability of Supervisors to determine their own salary and give voters some influence on the process. There is a precedent for such an amendment, since six other charter counties have charter provisions limiting their supervisors’ salaries. The Grand Jury is proposing that the Board consider the three following options for a charter amendment and consider placing at least one of them on an upcoming ballot: Option A: Add a sentence to Charter Section 402, requiring that any proposed ordinance changing the formula used to determine supervisor salaries, be submitted by the board to the people for enactment by popular vote, under Elections Code Section
19-24:
Consider placing on an upcoming ballot an amendment to
Quick View
Full Details →
Findings & Recommendations
4 findings
F01:
A preventable suicide risk exists at South Bay Detention Facility.
F02:
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department provides mental health treatment to an increasing number of inmates, some of whom could be better rehabilitated in other facilities.
F03:
The older facilities were not designed for inmates serving long sentences and are outdated for current use. Georgetown University, McCourt School of Public Policy, Center for Juvenile Justice Reform, 2019 (https://cjjr.georgetown.edu/our-work/yicpm/) 21 Youth in Custody Practice Model, id. 8
F04:
Several detention facilities, both adult and juvenile, are located at Otay Mesa, an isolated area which is difficult for families of inmates to visit.
Additional Recommendations
4
Not linked to specific findings.
19-20:
As soon as possible replace or modify the vent covers at South
19-21:
Study and consider the decision made by the Los Angeles County Board of
19-22:
Study and consider transportation options for family visitation to the Otay
19-23:
Study and consider transportation options for family visitation to the Otay
Quick View
Full Details →
Findings & Recommendations
7 findings
F01:
The MTS and NCTD, working in conjunction with SANDAG, provide the County (its citizens and visitors) with satisfactory, balanced mass transportation services at a fair value.
F02:
The current Compass card fare system has some confusing elements.
F03:
Three key potential user groups–seniors, disabled patrons and foreign visitors—are not well served by the current fare machines, transit websites and signage.
F04:
San Diego mass transit providers do not have multi-day passes that provide seamless travel region-wide.
F05:
The tap readers generate frequent errors that suggest a valid card is not valid.
F06:
The current fare system is not instantaneous; time delays between online payment and posting to a Compass card are often several days.
F07:
The MTS and NCTD websites are aging and require updates. 7
Additional Recommendations
5
Not linked to specific findings.
19-15:
users, seniors, disabled patrons, and non-English speakers, both local
19-16:
Consider means to update the MTS and NCTD websites, ticket machines and
19-17:
Evaluate the possibility of introducing seamless, multi-day passes to
19-18:
Consider updating both the MTS and NCTD websites, not only
19-19:
Consider integrating or linking the two (MTS and NCTD) websites to have
Quick View
Full Details →
Findings & Recommendations
8 findings
F01:
San Diego County needs additional step-down beds.
F02:
San Diego County needs to reduce its Administrative Days to reduce costs associated with post-acute care patients.
F03:
If BHS invests in additional step-down facilities, it creates an opportunity to reduce Administrative Days.
F04:
There are facilities within San Diego County that purposely limit their psychiatric beds to 16 to comply with the Medi-Cal IMD Exclusion.
F05:
Public/private partnerships and Joint Power agreements with County psychiatric facilities could reduce the requirements of the Medi-Cal IMD Exclusion.
F06:
While maintaining minimal staffing requirements, workforce recruitment and retention within County administered health facilities are an ongoing challenge.
F07:
Workforce turnover may have a direct negative impact on the quality of care due to lack of continuity and broken staff/patient relationships that have been developed over time.
F08:
Public Consulting Group has been selected to provide quarterly reports on the follow-up actions of the Board’s newly formed collaboration, “Caring for People in Psychiatric Crisis in San Diego County.”
Additional Recommendations
3
Not linked to specific findings.
19-12:
Evaluate steps that could be taken to reduce the number of administrative
19-13:
Evaluate potential contract management and collaboration opportunities that
19-14:
Develop long-term best practices for addressing the behavioral health
Quick View
Full Details →
Findings & Recommendations
5 findings
F01:
Dockless scooters are spread out in great numbers on San Diego City sidewalks without approval from the City.
F02:
Riders of the dockless scooters are routinely violating the California vehicle code and San Diego City ordinances.
F03:
Reckless and improper use of scooters has resulted in one death and many injuries. California Office of Traffic Safety (https://www.ots.ca.gov/grants/) 150 /2019 FINAL REPORT (June 20, 2019)
F04:
Scooter accidents are exposing the City of San Diego and its citizens to expensive damage awards as a result of litigation.
F05:
San Diego City government has lagged behind other comparable sized cities in regulating the scooter companies’ use of the public right of way.
Additional Recommendations
3
Not linked to specific findings.
19-52:
Within the next twelve (12) months, rules for micro-mobility
19-53:
Within the next twelve (12) months, contracts with micro-
19-54:
Provide additional resources to the SDPD for comprehensive
Quick View
Full Details →
Findings & Recommendations
3 findings
F01:
Passenger service on railroads has a significant financial impact on the economy of San Diego County.
F02:
The loss of passenger service would have a substantial adverse impact on Interstate 5 traffic as well as surrounding surface streets.
F03:
Freight rail traffic has a major financial impact on the economy of San Diego County and the Port of San Diego. The Pasha Group. Facilities. https://www.pashagroup.com/capabilities/automotive/facilities.Retreived: February 26, 2019. The Port of San Diego. Port of San Diego Comprehensive Annual Report, Fiscal Years Ended June 30, 2018 and 2017. 2018. pantheonstorage.blob.core.windows.net/administration/2018-cafr-final.pdf. Retrieved: February 28, 2019. Allen, Mike. Pasha to Acquire Some of Horizon Lines' Assets for $141.5 Million, San Diego Business Journal. https://www.sdbj.com/news/2014/nov/12/pasha-acquire-horizon-lines-1415-million/. November 12, 2014. Retrieved: February 28, 2019. Economic & Planning Systems, Inc. Economic Impacts of the San Diego Unified Port District in 2017. February 28, 2019. 5
Additional Recommendations
2
Not linked to specific findings.
19-50:
Consider giving equal consideration for the needs of passenger and freight
19-51:
Consider a strategy that involves choosing one plan and rank the other plans
Quick View
Full Details →
Findings and recommendations not yet extracted.
Quick View
Full Details →
Findings & Recommendations
12 findings
F01:
Overall, the San Diego County schools studied are prepared to handle many kinds of emergencies, including active shooter situations, due largely to mandates from the State.
F02:
Overall, law enforcement, first responders, parents and other stakeholders have shown interest to work cooperatively with the San Diego County school studied in the prevention of a possible active school shooter incident.
F03:
At the school site level, there appears to be some lack of interactive collaboration with community stakeholders on the actual development of the plans.
F04:
The Grand Jury found that some of the schools reviewed had conducted a vulnerability study of their premises.
F05:
Valuable learning from the recent Florida and Texas shootings is not fully reflected yet in the existing CSSPs.
F06:
Overall, school districts in San Diego County indicated a more focused approach to active shooter response through their efforts to improve communication, add site safety 19 Pura, A. (2018, December 5). San Diego Unified School District prioritizes security projects in massive spending plan. Retrieved from https://www.10news.com/new/local-news/san-diego-unified-school-district-prioritizes-security- projects-in-massive-spending-plan 20 Pura, A. (2018, December 5). San Diego Unified School District prioritizes security projects in massive spending plan. Retrieved from https://www.10news.com/new/local-news/san-diego-unified-school-district-prioritizes-security- projects-in-massive-spending-plan 21 Billing, K. (2018, June 25). San Dieguito projects $3.7 million deficit in 2018-19 school year budget. Retrieved from https://www.delmartimes.net/news/sd-cm-nc-sandieguitobudget-20180622-htmlstory.html . 9 precautions and adopt guidelines for Options-Based Responses in this year’s or next year’s Comprehensive School Safety Plans/Emergency Operations Plans.
F07:
All San Diego County schools in the Grand Jury study claimed to have conducted or have scheduled drills within the current school year on emergency procedures directed towards intruders on campus, but not specifically armed assailants.
F08:
Drills (conducted or planned) center mainly on the presentation of procedures but are progressing toward becoming more realistic and dynamic, which helps create a “mental model” for preconditioning staff and students to act with immediacy.
F09:
As a note of recognition, Sweetwater Union High School District has gone above and beyond state requirements for safety training by demonstrating excellent and thorough levels of preparation.
F10:
Funding for active shooter response and preparedness is given high priority in some districts.
F11:
Before and after school programs need to be better addressed in safety plans.
F12:
Many districts expressed a need to train all adults on campus in safety procedures.
Additional Recommendations
11
Not linked to specific findings.
19-01:
Increase the priority of funding in school budgets for training, equipment and
19-02:
needs to enhance safety measures regarding active shooter situations,
19-03:
Conduct vulnerability studies at all school sites and use this data to guide the
19-04:
Provide more safety precautions against active shooters, including threat
19-05:
Monitor individual school's planning meetings to develop the CSSP and EOP to
19-06:
Include "Active Shooter" response language in the school's Comprehensive
19-07:
Promote the use of tip hotlines and tip apps by students and parents.
19-08:
Include substitute teachers and all other adult workers in the training and
19-09:
Conduct active shooter drills with staff that are dynamic and produce
19-10:
Use age-appropriate training methods in conducting lockdown and active
19-11:
Coordinate detailed emergency plans for school programs held on campus