Report 2014-118 Recommendation 9 Responses
Report 2014-118: California Department of Developmental Services: Its Process for Assessing Fees Paid by Parents of Children Living in Residential Facilities Is Woefully Inefficient and Inconsistent (Release Date: January 2015)
Recommendation #9 To: Developmental Services, Department of
To improve its administration of the Parental Fee Program, Developmental Services should engage in a formal policy development process that results in an updated policies and procedures manual by July 2015. The manual should clarify management expectations, describe regular program manager oversight, and include summary-level performance indicators that must be shared with department officials on an ongoing basis.
1-Year Agency Response
The Department has completed revisions to updated Policies and Procedures Manual as described in the 180 day report response. This manual will be available to program staff in printed form, as well as accessible on the department's intranet service.
- Completion Date: February 2016
- Response Date: February 2016
California State Auditor's Assessment of 1-Year Status: Fully Implemented
We have reviewed the revisions to the policies and procedures manual and agree that it adequately implements our recommendation.
6-Month Agency Response
The Department is nearing completion of the full draft of the updated Policies and Procedures Manual. Upon approval, the updated manual is expected to contain clarifications of management expectation, program manager oversight and performance indicators as prescribed by the audit recommendation. Many of the clarified procedures included in the updated manual are currently being implemented into the program's daily activities and are being monitored by management for consistency. Also, the Department is hiring a retired annuitant, with broad administrative and program experience, to assist in tracking the final completion and review of the updated Policies and Procedures Manual and other corrective actions being taken
- Estimated Completion Date: 08/31/2015
- Response Date: July 2015
California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: Pending
60-Day Agency Response
60-Day Report Response: Several chapters of the program manual have been reviewed and revised consistent with current law and regulation, with many first draft stages for review by the Department's Office of Legal Affairs and Executive Management. The Department conducts weekly management meetings to review specific questions and for guidance being developed.
- Estimated Completion Date: 07/31/2015
- Response Date: March 2015
California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: Pending
All Recommendations in 2014-118
Agency responses received are posted verbatim.