AGENDA ITEM
DATE: December 6, 2011
TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
SUBJECT: REORGANIZING THE COMMISSION ON CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES (All Districts):
SUMMARY:
The San Diego County Commission on Children, Youth and Families was established by the Board of Supervisors in 1986 to serve in an advisory capacity to the Board of Supervisors in order to better address the needs of children, youth and families who are either at-risk or already in the child welfare system.
During the decades since its creation, the Commission has been assigned numerous additional duties as a result of various changes in state law and increased opportunities to leverage funding to support programs that benefit the County’s children, youth and families. For example, the Commission is designated by the Board of Supervisors to provide a forum for interagency cooperation and coordination in the prevention, detection, treatment and legal processing of child welfare cases. The Commission officially serves as the County’s mandated Child Abuse Prevention Coordinating Council that is designated to carry out the purposes of the Children’s Trust Fund as established by state law and in that capacity develops an annual spending plan to present to the Board for funds deposited in the County’s Children’s Trust Fund.
As a result of decades of changes and multiple functions folded into the Commission, membership has grown to 45 members, including 12 County employees (mostly executives) on the Commission, with 3 full time staff years for administration. The Commission has seven committees. Given the growth of its numerous duties and responsibilities, and the fact that its credibility with the public has been put at risk by funding agencies with direct ties to Commission members, action inconsistent with standard County practice, it is time for a review and reorganization.
It is time for the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to review the Commission’s structure, functions and duties to determine the most optimum and efficient structure to carry out the goal of improving child welfare services and overseeing funds requiring action by a child abuse prevention coordinating council. Acceptance of the recommendations will allow the CAO to conduct a review and to report back to the Board of Supervisors in 60 days with recommended changes to make it more effective, efficient and accountable, and establish clarity of purpose commensurate with the new broad County policy initiative “Live Well San Diego!” that fosters healthy, safe and thriving communities.
RECOMMENDATIONS
SUPERVISOR GREG COX:
- Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to review the structure, functions and duties of the Commission on Children, Youth and Families, including the function of overseeing the funds requiring action by a child abuse prevention coordinating council.
- Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to report back to the Board of Supervisors in 60 days with recommended changes to the structure, functions and duties of the Commission on Children, Youth and Families to eliminate unmandated functions that overlap with other Health and Human Services advisory boards and policy initiatives particularly “Live Well San Diego!”; reduce the size of the Commission; eliminate the possibilities of funding agencies that are represented on the Commission; implement a transparent, objective application process for providers seeking funds through action of the Commission, and reduce the staffing and operating costs to taxpayers.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with these recommendations. No additional staff years are required.
BACKGROUND:
The San Diego County Commission on Children, Youth and Families was established by the Board of Supervisors in 1986 to serve in an advisory capacity to the Board of Supervisors in order to better address the needs of children, youth and families who are either at-risk or already in the child welfare system.
During the decades since its creation, the Commission has been assigned additional duties as a result of various changes in state law and increased opportunities to leverage funding to support programs that benefit the County’s children, youth and families. For example, the Commission is designated by the Board of Supervisors to provide a forum for interagency cooperation and coordination in the prevention, detection, treatment and legal processing of child welfare cases. The Commission officially serves as the County’s mandated Child Abuse Prevention Coordinating Council that is designated to carry out the purposes of the Children’s Trust Fund as established by state law and in that capacity develops an annual spending plan to present to the Board for funds deposited in the County’s Children’s Trust Fund.
As a result of decades of changes and multiple functions folded into the Commission, membership has grown to 45 members, including 12 County employees (mostly executives) on the Commission, with 3 full time staff years for administration. Given the numerous duties and responsibilities, and the fact that credibility with the public has been put at risk by funding agencies with direct ties to the Commission, action inconsistent with standard County practice, it is time for a review.
It is time for the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to review the Commission’s structure, functions and duties to determine the most optimum and efficient structure to carry out the goal of improving child welfare services and to oversee funds that require a child abuse prevention coordinating council. Acceptance of the recommendations will allow the CAO to conduct a review and to report back to the Board of Supervisors in 60 days with recommended changes to make it more effective, efficient and accountable and establish clarity of purpose commensurate with the new broad County policy initiative “Live Well San Diego!” that fosters healthy, safe and thriving communities.
The County and its children, youth and families have certainly benefitted over the years from the expertise and participation of the broad array of community organizations represented on the Commission. The Commission members deserve appreciation and gratitude for the time, commitment and effort they invested in this advisory council. However, the current structure and practice needs to be updated. The broad scope of the Commission creates redundancy with the “Live Well San Diego!” initiative, First 5 Commission, The Children’s Initiative and various boards advising the Health and Human Services Agency as well as current activities within participating County departments themselves.
State law requires a Child Abuse Prevention Coordinating Council to oversee the County Children’s Trust Fund. The County will need to maintain one. In a reorganization of the Commission, it is imperative that the structure and procedures in place for any funding decisions be free from conflicts of interest or perceived conflicts of interest. Members should not have ties to agencies receiving funds where allocations are determined by Commissioners.
As the number of members are reduced to form a reorganized commission, those positions that do not fit the purpose and specialization needed for the Commission, such as the County Supervisor and the County Counsel, should be removed from membership.
I urge the Board’s support of this timely review of the Commission and look forward to our Board’s examination of the Chief Administrative Officer’s recommendations for improving the clarity of mission, efficiency, effectiveness, transparency and accountability of an advisory commission addressing the needs of the children and youth who are at risk or already in the child welfare system.
Respectfully submitted,
GREG COX
Supervisor, First District