We have an exciting victory to share with all LA County DCFS Human Services Aides. Our union’s HSA Labor Management Committee successfully negotiated with DCFS to guarantee language that will address safe and reasonable working conditions for HSAs.
Read the new language below.
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OPERATIONAL AGREEMENT LANGUAGE
HSA Designated Supervisor Responsibilities
HSA designated supervisors should determine the number of assignments and level of support for HSAs to ensure child safety and HSA safety.
The HSA designated supervisor shall work with management, other supervisors and the HSA to ensure:
- All safety worries are considered and addressed.
- The HSA is provided with sufficient information to meet the needs of the client.
- Case conferences are held with the assigned HSA to meet the needs of HSA and client prior to their first engagement with a family and as new issues arise.
- Staff Engagement is a key process that assists Children’s Social Worker (CSW) and Supervising Children’s Social Worker (SCSW) staff to prepare to engage and team with the child and/or youth and family, caregiver and Non-minor Dependent (NMD). It is an ongoing opportunity for the CSW and SCSW staff to plan for reflective practice and explore possible biases and barriers when working with a family.
1. Ratios for Supervision of DCFS Minors
- Regional Management will work with supervisors to monitor the number and age of children/youth in the office, evaluate resource needs and assign sufficient staffing to ensure the safe supervision of children/youth awaiting placement, supervised Family Time, and CFT transportation assistance.
- HSA supervision should be assigned based on each child’s need and assessed accordingly, taking into consideration the case/referral specifics and safety.
- Examples such as the following will warrant assignment of additional staff (including but not limited to HSAs, CSWs, SCSWs, etc.), unless an alternate plan is created:
- Special Needs: Mental, Medical, Behavioral, Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC). Refer to Procedural Guide 0600-505.10, Placing Children With Special Health Care Needs, 0900-522.10, Special Care Increment (SCI) – D Rate, and 0900-522.11, Specialized Care Increment (SCI) – F Rate.
- Uncontrollable behavior where the child/youth is presenting a danger to themselves or others.
- Any situation that presents a potential threat to self or others that requires additional supervision.
- Any situation where an HSA is assigned more than 2 children/youth under the age of 2.
- Any situation where an HSA is assigned more than 3 children/youth ages 3-17.
Any behaviors observed by the HSA that require additional assistance are to be immediately reported to the HSA’s designated supervisor. The HSA designated supervisor shall create a safety plan, which may include but it not limited to, additional staff.
2. Location of visits/Family Time to ensure maximum safety
In collaboration with the HSA and their designated Supervisor, supervised visits shall occur in the office or the community consistent with Procedural Guide 0400-504.00, Family Time Policy. Supervisors are to ensure the location is safe, and that HSAs are able to take their breaks, lunch, and receive relief as needed.
When there is a concern for the child’s safety or their own, HSAs should immediately consult their designated Supervisor to develop an alternate plan.
3. Providing transportation
HSAs shall provide transportation to adult clients and NMDs as appropriate. The HSA designated supervisor in consultation with the requesting CSW/SCSW should consider other measures of transportation.
Transportation of child(ren)/youth/NMDs with special healthcare needs should be consistent with Procedural Guide 0600-505.10, Placing Children with Special Health Care Needs.
Transportation with adult clients and NMDs who have a recent occurrence of violence or other condition that poses a current safety risk to the child, monitor, and/or any other participant should not occur unless an alternate plan is created.
Children/NMDs that have a history of sexually explicit behavior are to be transported by two staff, preferably one of each gender (female and male), if possible. If the child/NMD exhibits sexually explicit behavior that becomes assaultive, then the HSAs are not to provide transportation.
In cases when a youth has complex needs (including NMDs under the influence or with a history of violence), there should always be a consultation with the chain of command to arrange for the development of a personal safety plan, with consideration to arrange for additional staff to help transport the youth in the county vehicle. They are also to be provided with masks, gloves, gowns, and any other safety precautions needed.
If there is an observable imminent safety threat or reasonable suspicion of an adult being under the influence transportation is not to occur.
4. Chain of command/HSA supervision
All HSA assignments are to be distributed equitably.
No staff outside of the HSA designated supervisor, Children Services Administrator, Assistant Regional Administrator, or Regional Administrator shall supervise or assign work to HSAs.
5. Training
Training will be made available to all HSAs. If a training request is denied by the HSA’s Supervisor, the HSA can elevate it through the chain of command. DCFS Training and Human Resources will work with regional management to ensure HSA training needs are addressed.
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This is a positive milestone for HSAs! But remember: Our work is not over. Make sure you are engaged at your worksites so we can negotiate a strong contract with LA County.
Together, we win!
Great job