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  Regular-Health & Human Services   # 44.       
Board of Supervisors Adult & Aging  
Meeting Date: 06/27/2017  
Brief Title:    Update on Public Guardian Transition to HHSA
From: Karen Larsen, Director, Health and Human Services Agency
Staff Contact: Sandra Sigrist, Branch Director, Adult and Aging, Health and Human Services Agency, x8794
Supervisorial District Impact:

Subject
Receive update on the transition of the Public Guardian function to the Health and Human Services Agency and the establishment of an ombudsman program. (No general fund impact) (Larsen)
Recommended Action
  1. Receive update on the transition of the County's Public Guardian function to the Health and Human Services Agency; and
     
  2. Receive update on the establishment of an ombudsman program.
Strategic Plan Goal(s)
Thriving Residents
Safe Communities
Reason for Recommended Action/Background
On January 1, 2017, the role and responsibility for Public Guardian transitioned from the stand alone department of Public Guardian/Public Administrator to a division of the Health & Human Services Agency (HHSA). Prior to that date, HHSA hired Laurie Haas to fill the position of Deputy Public Guardian. The Deputy Public Guardian reports to the Adult & Aging Branch Director, while the HHSA Director holds the Board-appointed title of Public Guardian. In addition, HHSA hired one new Conservatorship Officer. HHSA has assigned a fiscal supervisor familiar with Social Services budget processes to support the functioning of the office during the transition. Specific tasks for the second quarter of the transition include:
 
  • Ensure conservatees have access to the Ombudsman Program: Bret Bandley, long time employee of the Yolo County Public Defender's Office, is serving in the Ombudsman role. Following the start up advertising of the new support program, he began receiving referrals, and is now assisting individuals and families with both Public Guardian and other related system of care issues.
  • Fiscal, bank account and inventory control transition and procedures: The Yolo County Department of Financial Services is expected to complete their internal audit in June and provide recommendations for assuring strong fiscal structures and controls in the Public Guardian's office moving forward. The Office is also currently undergoing a required audit by the Social Security Administration this month, and will receive/respond to subsequent recommendations.
  • Ongoing plan for staffing: Yolo County Human Resources conducted a salary survey of nearby, similar sized counties and forwarded a proposal to increase the Conservatorship Office salaries commensurate with those trends and county policy. The Board of Supervisors approved that item on the consent agenda at the June 6th Board meeting. Next, the Office will be hiring an additional Conservatorship Officer to assure the growing caseload is effectively managed. The Office will also be included in the rotation for a second year Master's in Social Work graduate school intern throughout the coming school year.
  • Partner outreach and communications:  Laurie Haas (Chief Deputy Public Guardian) spoke at the Local Mental Health Board on May 22 and continues to actively participate in the Aging Commission and Yolo Healthy Aging Alliance.
Collaborations (including Board advisory groups and external partner agencies)
Adult Protective Services, Health and Human Services Agency, Local Mental Health Board, National Alliance on Mental Illness, Yolo County Aging Commission, Yolo Health Aging Alliance

Fiscal Impact
No Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact (Expenditure)
Total cost of recommended action:    $   0
Amount budgeted for expenditure:    $   0
Additional expenditure authority needed:    $   0
On-going commitment (annual cost):    $  
Source of Funds for this Expenditure
$0
Attachments
No file(s) attached.

Form Review
Form Started By: tdickinsonb Started On: 01/24/2017 11:54 AM
Final Approval Date: 06/15/2017

    

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