Yolo County Grand Jury
2016-2017
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Additional Recommendations
7
Not linked to specific findings.
R5:
The Departments of Administration and Financial Services along with the Department of Human Resources shall create a standardized training for County Policies and Procedures to ensure all administrators, supervisors, directors, and department heads, elected or appointed, are familiarized with current Federal and State laws and County government policies and procedures. An annual review of all new policies and procedures shall be conducted for elected officials and all employees, and records ensuring compliance shall be kept.
R6:
The Department of Financial Services shall provide training to all accounting personnel in policies and procedures related to accounts payable and receivable and all department contracts.
R7:
The Department of Financial Services shall create records to ensure compliance of the employees who are required to attend training in financial practices.
R8:
The Department of Human Resources shall ensure that all job titles within the County Assessor/Clerk-Recorder/Registrar of Voters office have job descriptions and that all current and future employees have titles complete with job descriptions and responsibilities. The Elections Office, in collaboration with HR, shall review and revise the evaluation standards used for all current and future job classifications to establish a fair and objective set of guidelines.
R9:
The Department of Human Resources shall annually review hiring practices to eliminate instances of nepotism within all departments to ensure that ethical standards are maintained and that a procedural firewall exists between familial related employees. This annual review shall be presented to the Board of Supervisors with findings and recommendations no later than December 1, 2018, and each following year.
R10:
By December 1, 2018, HR shall review and update the Harassment and Ethics online training programs and implement a training program that includes classroom (in-person) training.
R11:
Prior to the 2017 evaluations, the CAO shall revise and extend the current 360-degree evaluation process to include all elected officials and department heads.
Findings & Recommendations
13 findings
F1:
By providing an additional three-year transition period to adulthood and support for independent living, the Extended Foster Care program has improved the lives of foster youth in Yolo County.
F2:
School Districts regularly conduct safety training for all school employees, usually at the beginning of the school year. Some Districts provide more comprehensive training throughout the school year.
F3:
Washington Unified School District does an exemplary job with its Comprehensive School Safety Plan and execution on all campuses.
F4:
Almost all eligible young people who turn age 18 in Yolo County’s child welfare system or in out-of-home placement in Juvenile Probation opt to participate in the Extended Foster Care program.
F5:
Yolo County’s Child Welfare Service’s social workers and Juvenile Probation Officers who oversee and work with young people in the Extended Foster Care program are highly dedicated and committed.
F6:
Yolo County Transition Age Youth Unit’s social workers reach out to and involve foster care youth at age 14, an earlier age than many other California counties.
F7:
The Extended Foster Care program has increased the rates of high school graduation and college enrollment among foster youth.
F8:
The Child Welfare Services Division and the Juvenile Probation Unit have insufficient resources to track analyze, aggregate and report data on these youths. Inadequate data hinders data-based program and funding decision-making.
F9:
Many Extended Foster Care youth are unable to secure appropriate, safe, and affordable housing in Yolo County, limiting their ability to participate in Yolo County’s Independent Living Skills Program classes.
F10:
Current public transportation options make it difficult for foster youth to pursue education and gain employment.
F11:
Although Independent Living Skills classes are described as valuable and relevant by both Child Welfare staff and extended foster youth interviewed for this report, few youths over 18 actually attend the classes.
F12:
Extended foster care youth gain valuable real-world experience in making and sticking to a budget when they are given the responsibility for managing their monthly foster care payment.
F13:
The Yolo County Board of Supervisors needs to address and correct traffic safety issues along Yolo Avenue in Esparto for Esparto Unified District students accessing all campuses.
Additional Recommendations
12
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
The Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency and the Juvenile Probation Unit should continue to proactively promote the Extended Foster Care program and advocate for the participation of all eligible foster youth. 46 2016 – 2017 YOLO COUNTY GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT: INVESTIGATIONS CALIFORNIA CONNECTIONS TO SUCCESS ACT: A BETTER BRIDGE TO ADULTHOOD FOR YOLO COUNTY’S FOSTER YOUTH
R2:
The County should increase the budget for the Independent Living Skills Program to cover needed financial assistance to youth renting apartments.
R3:
Within two years, the Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency should initiate local low-cost housing options for the youth in the Extended Foster Care program.
R4:
Within one year, the County should establish sufficient systems to analyze, track, aggregate and report data to monitor progress and outcomes for Yolo County Extended Foster Care Program’s youth, including those in the Child Welfare Services and in Juvenile Probation programs.
R5:
Within one year, the Health and Human Services Agency should collaborate with local transportation agencies and non-profit organizations to improve and fund transportation for foster youth attending Independent Living Skills classes, seeking employment, and pursuing higher education.
R6:
Within 18 months, the Health and Human Services Agency should evaluate the new mental health services established within the Child Welfare Services Division to determine if utilization of mental health services has increased among the foster youth.
R7:
By October 1, 2017, all Districts will comply with the California Education Code concerning school safety.
R8:
By October 1, 2017, Yolo County Districts should consider networking with each other on a regular basis to discuss and share ideas on the most effective ways to construct, initiate and utilize school safety plans. 58 2016 - 2017 YOLO COUNTY GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT APPENDIX: RESPONSES TO THE 2016 -2017 FINAL REPORT ARE YOLO COUNTY SCHOOLS IN COMPLIANCE WITH SCHOOL SAFETY PLANS?
R9:
By October 1, 2017, modify, as necessary, the 2007 Memorandum of Understanding for Joint Use with Winters Joint Unified School District and the Yolo County Public Library to address the safety of students using the Winters Public Library during school hours.
R10:
By January 1, 2018, the Yolo County Board of Supervisors will establish procedures to address the Yolo Avenue safety issues confronting Esparto Unified District students.
R11:
Prior to the 2017 evaluations, the CAO shall revise and extend the current 360-degree evaluation process to include all elected officials and department heads.
R18-21:
were eligible. Child Welfare Services Implementation of Extended Foster Care In 2012, the Child Welfare Services Division of the Health and Human Services Agency created the Transition Age Unit to prepare foster youth age 14-21 for self-sufficient adulthood. The Transition Age Unit consists of a manager and five social workers (case managers) who stay with the youth until they “age out.” A sixth social worker operates the Independent Living Skills Program. This social worker administers and frequently teaches transitional living classes, provides outreach services to engage youth in independent living services, and offers group and one-on-one financial and educational assistance, and referrals to community resources. The Child Welfare Services managers reported that turnover within the unit is very low and that the social workers are highly committed to working with older youth and to building long-term, trusting relationships. Group homes housing extended foster care youth receive higher foster care payments. 39