Fresno County Social Services director off to ‘next chapter’ after CPS foster kids scandal
The director of Fresno County Department of Social Services will leave in December, he told staffers on Friday — just about a month after a scandal erupted over the housing of local foster children.
Director Delfino Neira said he is leaving for the “next chapter,” according to an email he sent to staffers. The county confirmed his departure in a news release that said his last day is Dec. 10, but did not say where he will be employed next.
He did not respond to requests for comment from The Bee. In the email to staff, he says he has been considering a move over the last two years with his wife.
“I felt that after 30 years of service to the communities of Kern, Santa Barbara and Fresno Counties, it was time to reassess what I wanted to do for the next chapter in life,” the email says.
The pandemic caused him to delay leaving, he says in the email.
Neira has been director of the department for about seven years, and recently has come under fire by some county employees.
The Fresno Bee reported in October that some foster children under the care of Fresno County slept on yoga mats or tables, could not shower and were fed fast food or snacks while staying at the office. Children under the care of Child Protective Services often slept in rooms with lights that don’t turn off.
The CPS children in question are also some of the most vulnerable, because they may have been human trafficked, developed a substance abuse problem, or have mental and behavioral health difficulties.
Social workers said they have been drawing attention to the problem in Fresno County for years, but were ignored by management. The workers need training and better compensation to deal with their caseloads, they have said.
Among his accomplishments listed in his email, Neira said during his time more than 5,000 people were placed in jobs, more than 1,000 children adopted and more than 1,000 children were returned to their parents.
County CAO Jean Rousseau praised Neira in a news release.
“During Delfino’s time with the county, the Department of Social Services has stepped into the 21st century with innovative technology and significantly upgraded facilities that not only improved services to residents in the county, but also improved employee morale,” he said.
This story was originally published November 12, 2021 at 5:25 PM.
