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Regular-Health & Human Services # 43.
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| Board of Supervisors |
Adult & Aging |
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| 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 |
- Receive update on the transition of the County's Public Guardian function to the Health and Human Services Agency; and
- Receive update the establishment of an ombudsman program for Public Guardian.
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| 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 and 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 first quarter of transition. Support staff has also been assigned to support the first quarter set-up and interfacing with constituents who reach out to the office for assistance. Specific tasks for the first quarter transition include:
- Fiscal, bank account and inventory control transition and procedures: HHSA Fiscal staff are working daily with the Public Guardian's Office to bring account information up to date.
- Contact with all clients and associated parties: The HHSA Director sent an initial letter to multiple placement locations. Additionally, the Deputy Public Guardian, Conservatorship Officers and County Counsel are making contact with increasing numbers of the assigned Conservatees each month.
- Coordination of On-Call system: The Deputy Public Guardian is working with other HHSA Supervisors on training the front line staff in the on-call rotation about the needs of the Public Guardian's Office. In addition, there is always someone from the Public Guardian's Office available as back-up to the on-call team to address any decisions involving a conservatee.
- Assignment to the Aging Commission and Yolo Healthy Aging Alliance: The Deputy Public Guardian will be presenting at the Aging Commission in late February, and is actively participating on two Aging Alliance Committees, Advocacy and Collaboration.
In addition to the planned activities for the first quarter following the transition, the Public Guardian's Office will be undergoing an internal fiscal audit with the Department of Financial Services. The audit is intended to ensure that the Office is functioning to legal standards and that the financial separation from the Public Administrator is fully executed. |
| Collaborations (including Board advisory groups and external partner agencies) |
| Adult Protective Services, Health and Human Services Agency, Local Mental Health Board, National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, Yolo County Aging Commission, Yolo Health Aging Alliance |
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| Fiscal Impact |
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| Source of Funds for this Expenditure |
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