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i <br /> 3 <br /> services. The State Division of Social Services' Biennial Review <br /> of the agency's Child Protective Services (CPS) Program (November <br /> 1993) concurred with this assessment and Orange County DSS received <br /> the highest rating which was "Exemplary" (95.73% compliance with <br /> standards) . <br /> However, problems were identified which include: <br /> 1. Continual CPS staff turnover resulting in on-going <br /> vacancies and insufficient staff to do the work; <br /> 2. Increased demands on remaining staff to perform <br /> critical assessments and make decisions in a limited <br /> time frame, and <br /> 3 . Less than optimal follow-up time with lower risk <br /> families to ensure that they pursue other services <br /> available in the community. <br /> In addition, the COPT is concerned that many families who could <br /> benefit from DSS services are not offered services because they <br /> have not been determined to be "abusive" or "neglectful" . DSS is <br /> not staffed adequately to meet this need. <br /> Based upon the review of protective service cases, the needs of <br /> children and families in our community, and the State Division of <br /> Social Services' Biennial Review, the Orange County Community Child <br /> Protection Team makes the following recommendations. <br /> 1. An adequate number of trained child protective <br /> services social workers must be available to respond <br /> to reports alleging child abuse and or neglect as well <br /> as to provide comprehensive follow-up services. A <br /> thorough assessment of risk of harm requires time, <br /> experience,and skill. <br /> 2. Methods for providing support to child protective <br /> services staff need to be explored to address staff <br /> turnover. <br /> 3. In order to increase the competency and skills of <br /> existing staff, on-going training must be available to <br /> staff and they need to have time available to participate <br /> in the training. <br /> 4. The supervisor - social worker ratio needs to be reduced <br /> to provide minimally adequate support and supervision to <br /> the child protective services social workers. <br /> The CCPT believes it is critical that these recommendations be <br /> addressed in order to ensure adequate protection for the children <br /> of Orange County. <br />