Report 2013-110 Recommendation 28 Responses
Report 2013-110: Child Welfare Services: The County Child Welfare Services Agencies We Reviewed Must Provide Better Protection for Abused and Neglected Children (Release Date: April 2014)
Recommendation #28 To: Butte County Department of Employment and Social Services
As part of its responsibility to help children remain safe at all points during the investigation of a referral, the Butte County CWS agency should vet temporary living situations and caregivers to the extent allowable under the law, including a review of information contained within the statewide CWS database.
1-Year Agency Response
Butte County vets temporary living situations and caregivers to the extent allowable under the law. The Butte County - Emergency Relative/NRFEM Placement Checklist was revised May 27, 2014, and submitted as part of the 60 Day Audit Response. Training was provided at the October 2, 2014 Program Meeting.
The Relative//Non-Related Extended Family Member (NRFEM) Placements Policy and Procedure (No. CSD-12-08-2015) was updated effective 3-5-2015 and training of supervisory staff was completed.
Due to new state requirements regarding the CFSR Review Process (implemented following the Audit), Butte County adjusted staffing requirements for the new CQI Unit. Two new QA Staff positions were authorized by the Butte County Board of Supervisors on March 23, 2015, and the hiring process has been initiated. It is anticipated that full staffing for the CQI Unit will be in place by June 15, 2015. The QA Policy and Procedure (No. CSD-14-21) has been completed and approved, effective April 1, 2015, and training of supervisory staff has been completed. This policy and the revised NREFM Policy will be submitted as part of this annual report update.
- Completion Date: April 2015
- Response Date: April 2015
California State Auditor's Assessment of 1-Year Status: Fully Implemented
6-Month Agency Response
Butte County vets temporary living situations and caregivers to the extent allowable under the law.
The Butte County - Emergency Relative/NRFEM Placement Checklist, was revised 5-27-14, and submitted as part of the 60 Day Audit Response.
Training regarding the changes to the form was provided at the October 2, 2014 Program Meeting and the updated Investigations Policy and Procedure (No. CSD-14-20).
A new Quality Assurance Policy and Procedure, and an update to the Emergency Relative Placements Policy are under development, which will also address these issues. These policies will be completed by January 31, 2015.
- Estimated Completion Date: 01/31/15
- Response Date: October 2014
California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: Partially Implemented
60-Day Agency Response
Butte County vets temporary living situations and caregivers to the extent allowable under the law. Next steps include updating the Policies and Procedures for Placements, Emergency Relative Placements and Investigations.
- Estimated Completion Date: December 2014
- Response Date: June 2014
California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: Pending
All Recommendations in 2013-110
Agency responses received are posted verbatim.