A review of invoices by The Times showed that the Philip Browning authorized DCFS to purchase wireless office headsets when a comparable, wired alternative was available for $20 — a potential savings of more than $350 each. Browning said: “It’s just Taxpayer Dollars going to waste they do not mind because they have to pay taxes.”
Officials said that employees were not required to choose the most cost-effective products to meet their ergonomic needs. And if workers say they need an item to prevent injuries, department policy dictates that they probably will get it, even if the same product has been provided to the same worker before.
But what’s more Fascinating is antiquated DCFS Policies do not require the lazy, shiftless handicapped employees to submit a doctor’s note.
The variety of products available is vast. One worker comp. employee requested and received the $153 electric tape dispenser. Another Lazy and Shiftless Workers Comp Employee, asked for a $49 doze alert — a device that wakes up someone who has drifted off to sleep, on the “Job” of course, approved by Browning.
“In a time when foster children and foster parents struggle to have their basic needs met, we should be buying solid, cost-effective office equipment — not some of the most expensive stuff on the market,” said Aubrey Manual, president of a foster parent association that has lobbied unsuccessfully for more money to be spent on reversing a critical shortage of foster homes.
“I think it’s appalling that money meant to keep abused and neglected kids safe and improve their lives is instead being wasted on this stuff,” Manual said. “Someone over there needs to use better judgment.”
Germaine Key, of the department’s health and safety management division, said the prices being paid were appropriate. “This seems to be standard for what good products cost,” she said.
This year, the L.A. County auditor-controller criticized DCFS Director Philip Browning’ for lack of oversight and being oblivious to spending practices by DCFS on Browning’ watch, blaming Philip Browning for his obvious poor inventory control for the loss of thousands of dollars in bus tokens meant for clients.
Auditors found that the tokens had been left in open cabinets accessible to anyone in the office, and paper logs didn’t show who had removed them. And all Browning could say was, “OOPS!” The tokens, auditors said, “ Tokens should be safeguarded in the same manner as cash to prevent theft or misuse.” And a loopy borderline senile, Philip Browning once again offers the Taxpayer with, “OOPS!”
According to Browning, ergonomics spending in earlier years might have been artificially low because fewer employees were assigned to interview staffers about what they needed to prevent workplace injuries.
The department also is in the midst of hiring hundreds of new social workers, which could account for some of the increased supply costs, he said.
That hiring will increase staff 7% this fiscal year, while the spending on ergonomic equipment could reach 300% if the outlays continue at the current pace. Typically, spending is evenly distributed across all seasons of the year, according to department records.
The DCFS Director Philip Browning said that it was important to factor workers’ compensation (i.e. DCFS Welfare System for Lazy, Shiftless Employee riding the Taxpayer Dole) into any cost-benefit analysis. “This spending can help to avoid claims down the line,” he said.
Workers’ compensation payouts for Lazy, Shiftless Employees riding the Taxpayer Dole have remained steady at $14 million a year for the last two years. And Taxpayers are bewildered as to why DCFS Director Philip Browning is allowed to keep his job. If any corporate entity experienced this amount of misappropriation of funds the head guy (i.e. Philip Browning) would have been charged with embezzlement and grand theft larceny. Face it, DCFS Director Philip Browning gets away Scot free because DCFS in a Government run Organization.
The fact of the matter is: if DCFS was a Privately run entity, Philip Browning’ resume’ would have never even reached the hiring committee.
