Recommendation R2.9.2
To improve communication and understanding between all members of the resource family including foster youth and involved agency workers, DCFS, DMH, and to shorten adjustment periods when there is racial disparity between a child and the foster family, social worker or mental health clinician assigned to care for the child: When foster families, social workers and clinicians have limited or no knowledge about the culture of the child in their care, they should be required to take the cultural awareness training.
Jury report: Los Angeles County Foster Care · PDF page 140
Permanent linkOfficial response
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors (consolidated County departmental response)
Agency says implementedFor the shared cultural-understanding objective, County agrees. DCFS cites required resource-parent pre-approval training and additional referrals when requested or deficiencies arise. DMH cites annual DHCS Cultural Competence Plan requirements and continued compliance. Response does not separately specify a child-culture knowledge trigger for all social workers.
Read official response · PDF page 33Editorial engagement review of the answer, not confirmation of implementation. For the shared cultural-understanding objective, County agrees. DCFS cites required resource-parent pre-approval training and additional referrals when requested or deficiencies arise. DMH cites annual DHCS Cultural Competence Plan requirements and continued compliance. Response does not separately specify a child-culture knowledge trigger for all social workers. Report physical PDF page(s) 140; County response physical PDF page(s) 33–34. Claims remain attributed; adoption date is not a filing or receipt date.
This review evaluates the response document. Implementation claims have not been independently verified.