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Committee moves to convert DFCS community forum into a child-welfare roundtable, seeks stakeholder-led design
Summary
The committee directed DFCS to explore repurposing its community forum into a child-welfare roundtable or, if stakeholders prefer, to propose a separate independent roundtable, with attention to neutral facilitation and after-hours meetings to increase community participation.
The Children, Seniors and Family Committee voted on March 27 to direct the Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) to explore transforming the existing DFCS community forum into a child-welfare community roundtable and to return with recommendations on whether the forum can be repurposed or whether a separate independent roundtable should be established.
Background and options DFCS presented three options it had considered for a roundtable to improve coordination among stakeholders: fold the roundtable into the Child Abuse Prevention Council (CAPC); create a 1520to2020-person non-Brown-Act stakeholder advisory work group; or repurpose DFCSs existing large community-service-provider meeting into a more formal roundtable. Presenters noted that CAPC is subject to Brown Act requirements, which could limit attendance and flexibility.
What committee members requested Chair Sylvia Arenas and other supervisors said stakeholders who have been meeting independently on child-welfare reform should have a single channel to share recommendations with county officials. Supervisors emphasized that the roundtable should be independent and neutral in tone, that meeting times be accessible to community members (including after-hours options), and that neutral facilitation or a contracted facilitator could help build trust. DFCS agreed to consult with the forums current participants and bring back recommended next steps.
Action: committee direction The committee formally asked DFCS to return next month with a recommendation that (a) repurposes the DFCS community forum into the child-welfare roundtable and/or (b) identifies a plan for a separate independent roundtable if stakeholders prefer that structure. The goal is to consolidate parallel stakeholder conversations so community voices can inform corrective-action and system-improvement work.
Public comment Public commenters urged inclusion of parents and family members who say their children were harmed and asked for transparent meeting processes; several speakers asked that survivors and parents be included among roundtable members.
Ending: DFCS will bring a follow-up report to the committee with recommended structure, a proposal for neutral facilitation and preliminary stakeholder feedback, so the committee can make a recommendation to the full Board of Supervisors if needed.
