DFCS reports 55% completion of child-welfare corrective action plan; county hears public criticism

Department of Family and Children's Services Director Wendy Kinnear Rausch told the board on Nov. 20 that the county has reached the mid-point of its corrective action plan (CAP) and is showing measurable progress.

DFCS arranged an Oct. 7 midyear on-site review with the California Department of Social Services, which pulled a sample of 55 referrals and cases using the same methodology applied during the earlier review. Director Wendy Kinnear Rausch reported that CDSS found improvements in use of structured decision-making assessments, documentation and monitoring of safety plans, and appropriate escalation of cases that warranted it. She said staff value coaching and small-group training and described ongoing efforts to strengthen documentation and monitoring.

"We have passed the 50% mark. We're at 55% that we have completed. Another 37 are actively in progress," the director reported, referring to CAP action items. DFCS also highlighted localized pilots to keep children in county — pilots that are live in Gilroy and launching in selected school districts — and said it is working with technology services to improve how families connect with on-site social workers.

During public comment, a resident named Perrin criticized DFCS leadership, alleging the director was failing to protect children and questioned whether favoritism or corruption was involved in case decisions; Perrin called for the director's removal. The DFCS director and staff did not address that individual case allegation in the public record; DFCS emphasized system-level improvements and plans to expand caregiver recruitment so children can remain in-county and in their home schools when safe.

The committee voted to receive the DFCS CAP progress report and discussed adding ongoing feedback loops, affinity-group input, and a thoughtful communications plan as DFCS continues implementation. The director said the department is working with CDSS and internal staff groups to refine training and referral-disagreement processes and will return with additional communication materials and updates.