County Extends Pact With Casa Pacifica

To avoid disruption of children’s services at the Casa Pacifica emergency shelter, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday extended its contract with the facility for another four months.

Barbara Fitzgerald, interim director of the county’s Public Social Services Agency, recommended the county extend the contract while it continues to examine its relationship with Casa Pacifica.

The contract would have expired Tuesday because it is tied to the fiscal year.

The board hasn’t decided whether to continue its partnership with Casa Pacifica in light of the state Department of Social Services recommending that the facility’s license be revoked. The state agency cited inadequate supervision and inappropriate disciplinary measures of the shelter’s young residents.

Also, a county Grand Jury report has indicated that the facility is hindered by problems in funding, regulation and design.

The contract extension will allow a county committee to continue working with Casa Pacifica to define the roles of county agencies and the facility in the child welfare system, Supervisor Kathy Long said.

“We can then put some recommendations in place and improve the situation,” Long said.

Others say it also allows Casa Pacifica time to address the recent criticism.

“They’ve gotten themselves into a situation where their license can be pulled, and this gives them the time to take care of that,” Supervisor Frank Schillo said.

Schillo said he has received conflicting information as to whether there would be enough shelter beds available in the county for up to 50 children if the contract were not renewed.

“If they don’t get their act straight with the state, I’d be in favor of recommending the state pull their license at the end of four months,” he said. “If they do get themselves out of this situation, I’d be happy because the children would be taken care of.”