la audit-futuro infantil hispano foster family agency contract review (may 2011)

8/3/2019 LA Audit-Futuro Infantil Hispano Foster Family Agency Contract Review (May 2011)

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WENDYL. WATANABEAUDITOR-CONTROLLER

C O U N T Y O F L O S A N G E L E SDEPARTMENT OF AUDITOR-CONTROLLER

KENNETH HAHN HALL OF ADMINISTRATION500 WEST TEMPLE STREET, ROOM 525LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90012-3873

PHONE: (213) 974-8301 FAX: (213) 626-5427ASST. AUDITOR-CONTROLLERS

ROB ERT A. DAVIS

JOHN NAlMOJUDlE. THOMAS

May 12,201 1

TO: Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, MayorSupervisor Gloria MolinaSupervisor Mark Ridley-ThomasSupervisor Zev YaroslavskySupervisor Don Knabe

FROM: Wendy L. WatanabeAuditor-Controller

SUBJECT: FUTU RO INFANTIL HISPANO FOSTER FAMILY AGENCY CONTRAC TREVIEW- A DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICESPROVIDER

We have completed a contract compliance review of Futuro lnfantil Hispano FosterFamily Agency (Futuro or Agency), a Department of Children and Family Services(DCFS) provider. The purpose of our review was to determine whether Futuro wasproviding the services outlined in their Program Statement and the County contract. Wecompleted our review during July 2009 and conducted a follow-up review in October201 0.

DCFS contracts with Futuro, a private non-profit community-based organization torecruit, train and certify foster parents for supervising children DCFS places in fostercare. Once the Agency places a child, it is required to monitor the placement until thechild is discharged from the program. Futuro oversees 134 certified foster homes inwhich 290 DCFS children were placed at the time of our review. Futuro is located in theFifth District. DCFS paid Futuro approximately $6.2 million during Fiscal Year 2009-1 0.

Results of Review

The foster children indicated that they enjoyed living with their foster parents and thefoster parents indicated that the services they received from Futuro met theirexpectations. Futuro also appropriately conducted hiring clearances and providedongoing training for staff working on the ounty contract. However, Futuro did not

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Board of SupervisorsMay 12,20 11Page 2

always ensure that the fosterome s complied with the County cond CaliforniaDepartment of Social ServicesCDSS ) Title 22 regulations. For example:

Two (25%) of the eight foster homes reviewedn 2009 did not adequatelypotentially dangerous items. Specifically, oneome did not secure a hedand a serrated gardeningool and anotherome did not adequately secure

During our follow-up review in010, all three additional homes revsecured potentially dangerous items.

Futuro's attached response indicates that they willrovide training to their socialworkers an d foster parents.

Two (25%) ofhe eight foster homeseviewed in 2009 did notave a readilyavailable disaster plan and a list of emergency s required.

During our follow-up reviewn 2010, all three additional homeseviewed had areadily available disasterlan and a listf emergency contact numbers

Futuro's attached response indicates that their social workers verified homes ha d disaster plans an d emergency contact numbers.

Three (10%)f the 30 caseiles reviewed in 2009 had Special Inci(SIR) that were sento DCFS by fax transmittal ratherhan using the I-TSystem. DCFS requireshe Agency to submit SIRS using the I-Track ensure SIRS are addressed immediately.

During our follow-up reviewn 2010 , the five additional case files have anyIRS to review.

Futuro's attached response indicates that staff in each ofice will now send SIRSrather than onetaff for the entire agency.

Both (100%) of the supervising socialorkers reviewed in 2009 exceeded maximumcaseload by six and two cases, respectively.n addition, seven (35%) ofFuturo's 20 social workers carried an averagef 19 cases during one reviewed and three social workers carriedn average of 17 cases during month reviewed.

During our follow-up reviewn 2010, Futuro was complying with the caseload requirements.

Futuro's attached response indicates that they hired additional staff and w ill mon itorto ensure appropriate caseloads.


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Board of SupervisorsMay 12,201 1Page 3

One (5%) of the 20 social workers did not possess the required educationqualifications during our 2009 review. Subsequent to our review, the Agencyobtained an exception from CDSS alldwing the employee to work as a social worker.

During our follow up reviewn 2010, Futuro's social workers all had the requirededucation and work experience.

Futuro's attached response indicates thathey willensure staffave the requirededucation.

Details of our review, along with recommendations or corrective action, are attached.

Review of Report

We discussed our report with Futuro on January 13, 201 1. In their ttached response,Futuro indicates the actions the Agency has taken to implement our recommendations(Attachment I). We also notified DCFS of the results of our initial nd follow-up reviews.In theiresponse (Attachment II), DCFS indicates they will monitor the Agency forcompliance with our recommendations.

We thankuturo management for their ooperation and assistance during our review.Please call me if you have any questions or your staff may contact Don Chadwick at(21 3)53-0301 .

Attachments

c: William T Fujioka, Chief Executive OfficerJackie Contreras, Ph.D, Interim Director, DCFSOma Velasco-Rodriguez, Executive Director and Board Chair, FuturoLilyOlan, Administrator, FuturoJean Chen, Community Care LicensingPublic Information OfficeAudit Committee


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FOSTER FAMILY AGENCY PROGRAMFUTURO INFANTIL HISPANO FOSTER FAMILY AGENC

FISCAL YEAR009-10

BACKGROUND

The Departmentf Children and Family Services (DCFS ) nfantil HispanoFoster Familygency (Futuro orgency) a negotiated mon thly placement, established byhe California Department of Social Care Rates Bureau. Basedn the child's age, Futuro receives betweennd$1,679 per month, per child. DCFS paiduturo approx imately $6.2 milliYear (FY) 2009-1 0.

PURPOSEIMETHODOLOGY

The purpose of our reviewas to determine whether Futuro waoutlined in their Program Statement and the County ce reviewed certifiedfoster parent files, children's case files, personnel also visited a number of certified foster homes nterviewed the childrend thefoster parents. We completed our review during nd conducted a foreview in October 2010.

BILLED SERVICES

Obiective

Determine whetheruturo provided program servicesn accordance with thountycontract and CDS S Title2 regulations.

Verification

We visited eight ofhe 134 Los Angelesounty certified foster homes uturo billedDCFS and interviewed ten foster parentsnd 19 children placedn the eight homes. Inaddition, we reviewed the case files for2 foster parents and0 children and wereviewed the Agency's monitoring activity. During isited threehomes and reviewed additional case files forix foster parents andive children.

Results

Futuro didot always comply withhe County contract requirements anDSS Title 22regulations. For example, Futuro did notnsure that Needsnd Services PlansNSPs)and Quarterly Reports are prepareds required and that Special Inare reported toCFS using the I-Track System. Specifically, we noted the followi

A U D I T O R - C O N T R O L L E RC O U N T Y O F L O S A N G E L E S


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Futuro lnfantil Hispano Foster Family Agency Pane 2

Foster Home VisitationIFoster Parent Certification

Two (25%) of the eight foster homes reviewed in 2009 did not adequately securepotentially dangerous items. Specifically, one home did not secure a hedge trimmerand a serrated gardening tool and another homeid not adequately secure knives.

During our follow-up review in 2010, all three additional homes reviewed adequatelysecured potentially dangerous items. .Two (25%) of the ight foster homes reviewed in 2009 did not have a readilyavailable disaster plan and a list of emergency contact numbers as required.

During our follow-up review in 2010, all three dditional homes reviewed had areadily available disaster plan and a list of emergency contact numbers.

Needs and Services Plans and Children's Case Files

Five (17%) of the 30 NSPs reviewed in 2009 did not indicate the reason forplacement as required.

During our follow-up review in 2010, ll fivedditional NSPs reviewed included thereason for placement.

Two (7%) of the 0 NSPs reviewed in 2009 did not have goals that weremeasurable, specific and time-limited.

During our follow-up review in 2010, all five additional NSPs reviewed had

appropriate goals.Four (13%) of the 30 Quarterly Reports reviewed in 2009 did not include details ofprogress the children made towards their goals as required.

During our follow-up review in 2010, all five dditional Quarterly Reports reviewedincluded details of progress the children made towards their goals.

Three (10%) of the 0 case files reviewed in 2009 had SIRS hat were sent to DCFSby fax transmittal rather than using the I-Track System. DCFS requires the Agencyto submit SIRS using the I-Track System to ensure SIRS are addressed immediately.

During our follow-up review in 2010, the five dditional case files reviewed did nothave any SIRS o review.



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Futuro lnfantil Hispano Foster Family Agency Page 3

Recommendations

Futuro management ensure:

1. Staff adequately monitor foster omes to ensure they comply ith the

County contract and CDSS Title 22 regulations.

2. Foster parentsdequately secure items that ould pose a potentialsafety hazard to children.

3. Foster homes have disaster plans nd emergency contact numbersreadily available.

4. NSPs have all the required information including goals that aremeasurable, specific and time-limited.

5. Quarterly Reports include detailsf progress the children made towardstheir goals.

6. Special Incidenteports are sent to DCFS using the I-Track System.

CLIENT VERIFICATION

Obiective

Determine whether the program participants reDCFS.

Verification

We intervieweden foster parentsnd 19 children placed in eight Fuhomes to confirm the services thegency billed to DCF S.

Results

The foster children indicated thathey enjoyed livingith their foster paren tsnd thefoster parents indicated thathe services theyeceived from Futuroet theirexpectations.

Recommendation

None



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STAFFINGICASELOAD LEVELS

Obiective

Verify that Futuro social workers' caseloads do not exceed 15 placements and that thesupervising social workers do not supervise more than six social workers as required bythe County contract and CDSS Title 22 regulations.

Verification

We interviewed Futuro's administrator and reviewed caseload statistics and payrollrecords forhe Agency's social workers.

Results

At the time of our 2009 review, Futuro was not always complying with the maximumcaseload requirements. Specifically, the two supervising social workers reviewedexceeded the maximum caseload by six and two cases, respectively. In addition, sevenof the Agency's 20 social workers carried an average of 19 cases during one monthreviewed and three of the social workers carried an average of 17 cases during anothermonth reviewed.

During our follow-up review in 2010, Futuro was complying with the maximum caseloadrequirements.

Recommendations

Futuro management:

7. Ensure that social workers and supervisors o not have more casesthan allowed by CDSS Title 22 regulations.

8. Hire additional social workers and supervisors if the number of casesexceeds the maximum number allowed.

STAFFING QUALIFICATIONS

Obiective

Determine whether Futuro's staff possess the education and work experiencequalifications required by their ounty contract and CDSS Title 22 regulations. Inaddition, determine whether the Agency conducted hiring clearances prior to hiring theirstaff and provided ongoing training to staff.



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Verification

W e interviewed Futuro's administratornd reviewed each staff's pile fordocumentation to confirmheir education and work experience qualificationclearances and ongoing training.

Results

At the time ofur 2009 review, Futuro's administratornd supervising social possessed the required educationnd work experience and the Agency conhiring clearances and provided ongoing training orking on the County contrHowever, one social worker didot possess the required educatioSubsequent tour review, the Agency obtained an exception from CDS S employee to work associal worker.

During our follow-up reviewn 2010, Futuro's social workers allad the required

education and work experience.Recommendation

9. Futuro mana gem ent ensure that stafforking on theounty contractpossess the education required byDSS Title 22 regulations.



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Attachment IPage 2 of 3

H e c o ~ t ~ i ~ ~ c n t l i ~ t i ( i l ~?.-- ---I t I. ~ . c o n i i n c r ~ t l r Jl l d I : lt( ' s nanapcrrrerr t ensure fn\ ler pnrel t t j ;~idec~~r;~tc l~~ecure itetns ghatc o ~ ~ l dx1 s~ l iot e ri t ia liiiI.:~ t o ~ i i r t l0 c l ~ i l d r c n .

C o r r e c t i v e , \ ct i on I'lan:1:II 1' s III;~II~IEL"II~CII~ .;talT w i l l e r i s t~ r c il lI:I:i\ scicial i\orkc r.s and ccrtific tf Ihste r Dal.etlls ~.t 'cciueil 'wiahli7ctl 11-aini~tgi l C[ >SS f i t i c:?2 . c ; ~ t ~ l a t i o i ~ su c.li?;rirefoster p ; l r c i l t s ~ d e < l ~ i i i t ~ I ? .CCIITC itenist li ;r t c o~ t l t l oseu j~otu irtiitl iilfci). Ii:l/;tr~tto c l i i l d r c ~ t .\I1 Ft-Asocia l i \orkers wi l l r l r r tr col ~t in trc oc o n d u c t (),2 \ ,isits artd cnrnplctc;I t i c ~ u l a t i o i i ~ i ciCotnpli;ince (Ihcchlistto alsurc ct>mpliancewit11 tltc ( ' OI I I~ I~ co r~ t r i l c tt ~ t i l '1)SS 'I'itlc 72 ~.eg~~l:~t ior i ' ;0 e~is t i rc l l i i t Ct is i t i fcc ta~l~s .I e : i ~ i i ~ t ~sol trtio i~. pctisor~s. kni\c:;. ; ir lci otl lcr i te l i ts n .l t ic i t could pose;I darip er iS rea dil l, ;rv;rilahlc tocl ic l l ts , r;It;lll he s tn rc ci w l i c r ~i~acccss i l ) l c o c l i c t t t . p rc fc rahly IocLed . .

C o r r e c t i v e A c t i o nI3I:1n:I;lkr Iri ;ln afc ttic til has crtsur-ed a ll f.il 1 srl cia l \\or!,er~ vct.il?.C I ' I T ~ ~ ~ S ~ostcr IIUIII~S a\ c d is :tsIc~pla r~l; ulcl ciiterg cncq cilrita ct t11111,hers ent lily a\.ail nhlean d that tire s;llnc is don e xvitlt allcer.tilicct lijste r p n rc n l cf?>cti\,c irr~r:iccliali.l~ irrtl ongcoiriy.

Corrective i \ c t i o n 1'1:tti:1:IIH rrlalia gcrrtc nl w il i 111-ovitlc: tr:~ irri rrg0 social \vorkers on hSl's lo cirsc~l-eNSI'.; lrave :ill tlteseclt~ir.eci 11li)rrua~ic)n rl cl rl ~l in p o irl :; (hat i1r.cIIICRSII~.;I~~~.. el) i'ci [ic i i1 i t1 t i r nc ~~ lim itc d,l i f 'cc t i \ci ~ r t ~ rr c d i a tc l ! r ~ t l ri pn ic rg . I ;I I1 ~ ~ r i u i i ; l g c r ~ ~ c ~ ~ t\ i l l revie \v all N SP \ to crrbLirc hSt's Iti+ue all ~ l r cr i : c lu i r ed in l i~ r r i~a i io r~i ~ c l u t f i ~ i poa15 tliiri~IIX ~ n c a ~ t l r a b l e .pe ci lic aritl 1ir11c-limitctl.

Reco l r t rncnda r ion#?11 is ~ - c c ! ~ i ~ t t r ~ c ~ t r l c t Il ~ r t l;IiI'\ r r i ; u ~ a y c l r ~ e ~ t tn s l lr e O r r: rr tc ~. ly 1 2c po rts i r r cl ir dc t l et a il s o f l ~ r o ~ r ~ " ; ~t l tc c l i i l t l r c t ~ i l n t i eo\\.arrls their go;ils.

C:oi6rcei ive Act ionPIS111 I nariagenic t~t\ ill p r o \ ic lc t r a i r r i ~ ~ go socia l ~vol.kcrs o errsurc Qtt;lrlcrly Rcpc)rts includetietail.; o f proyr css the chilclrc n rrinde to\\at.tls 111i.ir p a l s . I?ff'ecti\.e inuncdiatel?; a nd c3ngioing.1'11I rrrnrr;igelncttl w i l l rc\:ie\s a ll Qrr:trtcrly Kc11ot-r.ito ctr-;[tre C)\r;r~-tcrl?K c p or t s i n c l ~ i t l etctails elf~ x i - ~ g r e s ~l rc c l ~ i l t l r c nnadc toa-arils tlieir goals.

f t e c o n ~ r i i e r ~ d a t i o n!h.It i., I-ecolnrrtci~ticd llati:II1\ ~~rl; iit;iiic lirt'rIt t1~111.cSpecial Iricidiltlt!


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Attachment IPage 3 of 3

A FUTURO INFANTIL HISPANOFoster Family Agency

1

Corrective Action Plan:F i l l nlanagenlent ensures Special incident Reports (SIRS) continue tobe sent to DCFS using theI-Track system by centralizing the task to designated management staff persuns in each oficeinstead of justone far the entire agency.

Recommendation #7It is reconlmended that Futuro management ensure that social workers and supervisors do nothave Inore cases than allowed by CDSS Titl e22 regulations.

Corrective Action Plan:Futuro management has ensured that social workers and supervisors do not have more cases thanallowed by CDSS 'litle 22 regulations and effective immediately and ongoing Futuromanagement will review caseloads at m anagement team meetings to m u r e thal social workersand supe rvisors do not havemore cases than allowedby CDSS Title22 egulations.

Recommendation #8It is reconmended that Futuro management hire additional social workers and supervisorsif thenumber of cases exceeds the maximum number allowed,

Corrective Action Plan:Futuro management hired the additional social workers needed andwill hire additional socialworkers and supervisorsif he number of cases exceeds the maximum number atlo~ ved, Puturomanageinmt will continue to advertise, interview, hireand train more staff as needed.

Recommendation #()It is recommended that Futuro nlanagement ensure thatstaff warking on the County contmctpossesses the education requiredby CDSS Titb 22 egulations.

Corrective Action Plan:Fu&m m anagem ent will ensure that staf f working on the County contract possesses the educationrequired by CDSS Title 22 regulations.

2227 E. Garvey Ave. North West Covina, CA 91791 Phone 6213.339.1824 Fax 626.915.4148


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February 23,201

TO:

FROM:

~ttachment IPage 1 of 1

County of Los AngelesDEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILYSERVICES

425 Shatto Place, Lot Angeler, CA 99020

Aggie Alonso, Chief Accountant-AuditorCountywide Contract Monitoring Division

-of supwbonGLORIAMDLW

nnt or.atctMARL( RrnLEY-WOMM

6vwndDirtrlctam' AR08IAVSKY

Third DirbidDONK W E

~wrm nmaHlCHAtL 0. m o w c f l

Fifth Dhb'kt

ward, Section HeadD i i o n

Foster Family AgencylGroup H orn Performance Management

DCFS RESPONSE TO THE AUDITOR CONTROLLER'S CONTRACTREVIEW OFFUTURO INFANTIL HISPANO FOSTER FAMILYAGENCY

The Auditor Controller's (A-C) Contract Review of Futuro lnfantil Hispano (Futuro)Foster Family Agency was conducted during JunelJuty 2009 and a follow up review inOctober 2010. The Out-of-Home Care Management Division (OHCMQ) received theAuditor-Controller's January 18. 201 1 inal draft report of the contract compliance reviewon January 18,201 1.

The A-C's final draft report found no egregious findings which rose to the level of areferral to the Child Protection Hotline. The report, however, noted that during their

initial review, there were findings related to two homes visited that had unsecuredgardening tools, which were potentially dangerous items and in one home, the kniveswere not secured. The A-C's report also notes there were findings in the areas ofNeeds and Services Plans and Quarterly Reports, that social work staff caseloadsexceeded the caseload requirements, that one social worker did not possess therequired education requirements, and that Special Incident Reports (SIRS) were faxed,rather than reported to DCFS via the Ittack web-based system. During the A-C's followup review in October 2010, they found that there were no new SIRS for the samplereviewed however, each of their remaining initial findfngs had been corrected and Futurohas submitted a Corrective Action Plan to address each of the their initialrecommendations.

The OHCMD will assess for full implementation of the A-C's recommendations within sixmonths after the issuance of the A-C'a final report.

If you have any questions, please contact me at (626) 569-6804.

'To E m ives Thmugh Ef?mtim and Cbtifftg Senvice"

la audit-futuro infantil hispano foster family agency contract review (may 2011)

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