Social Welfare Research, Training and Evaluation Center (California State University Fresno) Strategic Plan Report Mariposa County Human Services 6-30-09
In September 2008 the Central California Social Welfare Evaluation, Research and Training Center (SWERT), was asked to conduct a review of the Mariposa County Department of Human Services (DHS) and formulate recommendations for a strategic plan for systemic redesign. The SWERT Center is an ancillary unit of California State University, Fresno under the auspices of the College of Health and Human Services, Department of Social Work Education. Based on SWERT’s experience with training and program evaluation in the fields of child welfare, adult protective services, behavioral health, and other human services, Mr. Jim Rydingsword, Director of Mariposa County DHS, requested an assessment of the Department’s role in the community and its readiness for purposeful evolution toward a family-focused service delivery system. The Project was initiated in December 2008; the review process involved many hours with the community organizations and interested individuals, service recipients, and employees.