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Regular-Health & Human Services # 38.
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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: Mailings and a press release were distributed. Information and complaint forms are now posted on the Yolo County website, and advisory groups are updated ongoing.
- Fiscal, bank account and inventory control transition and procedures: Yolo County Department of Financial Services is continuing with an internal program audit, now working on the Pubic Administrator components of the January separation between Public Guardian and Public Administrator.
- Ongoing plan for staffing: With approval of the FY 17-18 HHSA budget, an additional conservatorship officer will be added to the permanent Public Guardian staff effective July 1. The office will continue to receive assistance from a Work Experience Volunteer and be included in the rotation for second year Masters in Social Work graduate school interns throughout the coming school year.
- Partner outreach and communications: Laurie Haas (Chief Deputy Public Guardian), Sandra Sigrist (Adult & Aging Branch Director) and Brett Bandley ESQ (HHSA Ombudsman) spoke to the National Alliance on Mental Illness-Yolo Chapter on May 3. Public Guardian Staff is also scheduled to present at the Local Mental Health Board in June, as well as continuing active participation on 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 on Mental IIlness, Yolo County Aging Commission, Yolo Health Aging Alliance |
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| Fiscal Impact |
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