Parents and advocates press San Bernardino County for audits and transparency in child-welfare services

Dozens of parents, advocates and program directors urged the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors to open Child and Family Services (CFS) records to independent review, disclose grievance and decision-making procedures, and redirect funding toward prevention programs.

At the public-comment portion of Wednesday's meeting, multiple speakers said children had been removed from families with inadequate evidence and that county systems disproportionately affect Black and Latino families. "No more money for CFS," one speaker said, demanding funding be withheld "until [CFS] can align the agency with the constitution." Another speaker, Leticia Howard, described her children's removal and said medical testing later showed there was no head injury: "This is not a mistake," she said, arguing that disabled children were interviewed repeatedly without accommodations and that federal protections were not met.

Advocates pressed for procedural transparency, specifically requesting standard operating procedures, decision-logic protocols (SLPs/DLPs), and the county's grievance process so outside reviewers can audit removals and substantiation standards. Amethyst Yates of the Family Reunification Equity and Empowerment Project urged investment in prevention services and culturally competent training for social workers, saying prevention keeps families intact and reduces trauma.

Speakers also questioned how public funds are used, calling for clearer accounting when contract awards and funding allocations affect whether families remain together. Several commenters recommended creation of an independent oversight body rather than relying solely on internal ombudsman processes.

The board did not vote on policy changes during the meeting. Clerk and staff responses emphasized that the board had heard the concerns and that an ad hoc committee and staff would research outstanding questions. The meeting record shows the board promised follow-up and additional review but did not immediately alter CFS budgets or contracts.

The board is scheduled to reconvene March 10; activists said they will return until they see specific reforms and public reporting on investigations and audits.