Voice of OC (https://voiceofoc.org/tag/orange-county-social-services-agency/page/2/)
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
A state lawmaker, a court case and a statewide audit allege mismanagement within the county’s system.
The seat, created as part of Janet Nguyen’s overhaul of the board, will be filled by Theresa Boyd, a Nguyen nominee.
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.
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.
The $1.4-billion health plan will contract with Children and Families Commission while it continues its search for a permanent CEO.