County Settles Lawsuit With Employees Over Alleged Toxic Building
County Government
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County Social Service Agency employees working in the so-called “Eckhoff” building in Orange alleged health problems caused by toxins emanating from the building.
County Responds to Critical Grand Jury Report on Foster Care System
County Government
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Orange County officials are taking issue with a recent grand jury’s report findings that the county has an inadequate number of foster homes, overworked social workers, and a lack of oversight on contracts with outside agencies.
County Undergoing Sea Change in Approach to Child Abuse Prevention
County Government
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Historically, Orange County children suffering from abuse and neglect would likely end up in a group home. But now county officials are working to keep them in family environments.
Supervisor Says Orange County Needs ‘Homeless Czar’
Government
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Supervisor Andrew Do is proposing that the county choose a single point person to keep track of the plethora of county services and figure out how to improve their effectiveness.
County Social Services Agency Bus Now Serving Civic Center Homeless
County Government
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In response to demands by Orange County supervisors to step up efforts to address homelessness in Santa Ana’s downtown Civic Center, officials have brought in a converted recreational vehicle to help link people with social service programs.
Grand Jury: Rate of Dropped Calls on Child Abuse Hotline Triples
Countywide
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The number of people calling to report the possibility of a child being neglected or abused who hang up while waiting to talk to an social worker has increased, from 5-8 percent in 2012, to 15-25 percent in 2014.
Problems in OC Child Welfare System Get Statewide Scrutiny
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A state lawmaker, a court case and a statewide audit allege mismanagement within the county’s system.
‘Consumer Seat’ Is Finally Filled on CalOptima Board
Government
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The seat, created as part of Janet Nguyen’s overhaul of the board, will be filled by Theresa Boyd, a Nguyen nominee.
Banked Vacation and Sick Leave Lead to Big Payouts
Countywide
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Over the past five years, many high-level employees in Orange County government have reaped six-figure sick and vacation leave payouts. “This is not something we intended to become a practice,” says a state senator.
In Social Services Agency, ‘We Go On Because the Work Is Essential’
Government
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Sandra Fox, an eligibility worker for the Orange County Social Services Agency, talks about the challenges she faces as poverty rates soar and resources wane.