2022-2023 San Joaquin Civil Grand Jury Releases report on At-Risk Youth in San Joaquin County

Stockton, CA — Today, the 2022–2023 San Joaquin County Civil Grand Jury released its report investigating the policies, procedures, and standards applicable to the care of At-Risk Youth in San Joaquin County. At-Risk Youth are defined as children who do not have the opportunities, experiences, or resources necessary to succeed in life. These children face significant obstacles, including, but not limited to, parental neglect, abandonment, and medical or psychological needs that their families cannot or will not address on their own. In some cases, the children are victims of abuse or criminal activity.

The Grand Jury cited a citizen’s complaint as the basis for its investigation, which alleged that At-Risk Youth housed at the Mary Graham Children’s Shelter (MGCS) were either engaging in or were victims of dangerous behaviors during their stay. Specific attention was concentrated on MGCS and its interactions with the County Sheriff’s Office. However, during the early stages of the investigation, it became clear that the complaints received were not solely due to failures of these agencies’ policies and procedures. Multiple agencies, including the County’s Child Protective Services (CPS), Sheriff’s Office, Probation Department, and Courts, were found to be ineffective in managing At-Risk Youth and their families. The focus of the Grand Jury’s investigation shifted to assess the quality of care At-Risk Youth receive from various social welfare and law enforcement entities in San Joaquin County.

In its investigation, the Grand Jury toured MGCS, the Juvenile Detention Center, and Children’s Home of Stockton; conducted twelve interviews; participated in four agency presentations; and reviewed numerous documents, statutes, and regulations. The Grand Jury determined there are several reasons At-Risk Youth are in harm’s way, including:

• An increase in the population of At-Risk Youth who are more challenging to manage;
• Staffing issues, including an insufficient number of available floor personnel and a lack of leadership;
• A lack of sufficient training for administrators, onsite management, and staff necessary to address the challenges presented by the enactment of new laws and regulations;
• A lack of interagency cooperation within the County; and
• A lack of foresight and preparedness to address Criminal Justice Reform as it pertains to youthful offenders.

The Grand Jury found that the issues described above bring into question the overall effectiveness of the County’s current commitment to caring for At-Risk Youth. The collective findings of this investigation indicate that the County can hinder its own efforts when developing solutions to the ongoing problem of providing a safe environment for these At-Risk Youth while also delivering the services necessary to foster a secure and supportive environment in which they can grow into productive citizens. Unfortunately, no simple solutions exist to resolve the problems affecting these youth. The Grand Jury recommends that all County agencies involved in the care of this vulnerable segment of the County’s population work collaboratively to create, implement, monitor, and advocate for improved programs, care, and treatment of At-Risk Youth.

The public is encouraged to read the complete report by visiting the Grand Jury’s website.

2022-2023 San Joaquin Civil Grand Jury Releases report on At-Risk Youth in San Joaquin County (PDF)