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Board reviews Mod C transitional shelter quarterly report; license move to Heritage Center approved
Summary
The Board approved staff recommendations on the Mod C transitional shelter, accepting a quarterly report that included staffing, incident and placement statistics and approving a license move to a Heritage Center location.
The Board of Supervisors reviewed the quarterly report on the county’s Mod C (transitional residential care) program and approved staff recommendations, including relocating the program license to a pre‑approved Heritage Center site.
Social Services Director Sonia Begay told the board that Mod C is a nine‑day licensed residential transitional facility for dependent youth ages 12 to 17 used when placement is not immediately available. Begay said the county’s child welfare caseload has dropped in recent years — from roughly 3,003 engaged a few years ago to about 2,000 now — and out‑of‑home placement numbers have declined as well, but Mod C remains necessary as a short‑term shelter for newly removed youth or those awaiting placement.
Key metrics and operations: Begay reported that over the latest quarter Mod C had 28 youth served and two overstays (a stay beyond the nine‑day limit when placement could not be found). The county also reported 47 incidents that required law‑enforcement contact during the quarter; 32 of those were related to unauthorized absences. County staff said no state penalties had been imposed and that they routinely coordinate with law enforcement and the California Department of Social Services on difficult placement cases.
Services, staffing and training: The board heard the program is staffed primarily by county social workers and social work aides (not outside 24/7 vendor staff) and that staff undergo a training plan that includes eight hours of initial training and a total of 24 hours with shadowing before independent work. The county also has contracts with licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) and uses Department of Behavioral Health partners for assessments and needs identified on intake.
Action and vote: After public comment and questions, the board moved and unanimously approved staff’s three recommended actions, including acceptance of the quarterly report and the administrative step to move the facility license to the Heritage Center location.
Ending: County officials said they will continue quarterly reporting and that the Mod C move is intended to secure a licensed site with slightly larger staff and provider space while maintaining the same bed capacity.
