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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 & 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 & 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 & 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. 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 second quarter of the transition include:
- Ensure conservatees have access to the Ombudsman Program: Staff sent letters to each conservatee during the first week of April, which provided information about the new program and instructions on how to access the services. Staff is in the process of informing all HHSA advisory groups about the ombudsman program, and a press release for the general public will be sent out in April.
- Fiscal, bank account and inventory control transition and procedures: The external audit has been completed with positive results. Staff continues to work closely with the Yolo County Department of Financial Services on completion of the internal audit.
- Ongoing plan for staffing: Staffing in the office is currently stable. All new authorized positions have been filled, and the office is receiving extra support from three HHSA employees who have been re-assigned from other divisions of HHSA to assist with organizational projects and case management duties through the end of the fiscal year. Additionally, the office is receiving assistance from a Work Experience volunteer from HHSA Employment Services. HHSA hopes to add an additional conservatorship officer to the staff team in FY 17-18, if approved in the budget.
- Partner outreach and communications: Staff will complete several presentations to local partners and advisory boards in the second quarter. Staff is scheduled to present to NAMI on May 3, 2017 and the Local Mental Health Board in June of 2017. Additionally, staff will continue to participate in meetings of the Aging Commission and Yolo Healthy Aging Alliance.
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| 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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