VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

StepStone Family & Youth Services
2965 Colonnade Dr
Ste. 130
Roanoke, VA 24018
(540) 394-7110

Current Inspector: Dawn Espelage (540) 759-8852

Inspection Date: May 29, 2020

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

22VAC40-131 ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION 22VAC40-131 PERSONNEL 22VAC40-131 PROVIDER HOMES 22VAC40-131 CHILDREN'S SERVICES 22VAC40-131 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SPECIFIC PROGRAMS 22VAC40-80 THE LICENSE. 22VAC40-191 Background Checks for Child Welfare Agencies

Comments:

This inspection was conducted by licensing staff using an alternate remote protocol necessary due to a state of emergency health pandemic declared by the Governor of Virginia. A renewal inspection was initiated on May 29, 2020 and concluded on June 4, 2020. The program manager was contacted by telephone to initiate the inspection. The agency reports eight foster children in placement and six approved provider homes. There was one new staff hire since the last inspection. The inspector emailed the program manager a list of items required to complete the inspection. The inspector reviewed one foster child's record, one provider home record, and one personnel record submitted by the agency to ensure documentation was complete. Two additional personnel records were reviewed at other office locations. Five Board Officer records were reviewed: two by licensing inspector at the Christiansburg Office and three by another licensing inspection at a different office location. An exit interview to discuss findings was held with the program manager by phone at the conclusion of the inspection. The Licensing Inspector has reviewed with the provider COVID-19 Essential Guidance for Child Care Programs. Information gathered during the inspection determined non-compliance(s) with applicable standards or law, and two violations were documented on the violation notice. The licensee has five (5) calendar days from receipt of the inspection documentation to complete the section titled Plan of Correction, sign each page of the documentation and return it to the Licensing Office. The plan of correction should include the following: The steps to correct noncompliance with the standard(s); measures to prevent re-occurrence of noncompliance; person(s) responsible for implementation and monitoring of preventative measure(s); and date by which noncompliance will be corrected. The licensee should retain a copy to be posted at the facility. Results of the inspection documentation are subject to public disclosure and will be posted on the VDSS web site within 5 days, regardless of whether the Plan of Correction is completed.

Violations:

Standard #:	22VAC40-131-180-J-2
Description:	Violation: Based on a review of the record for a provider home (PH1) and interview with the program manager (S1), the licensee failed to ensure the home study, dated 02/28/2020, documented required information. Evidence: 1) The home study for PH1 contains a signature for the individual who completed the home study (S2) that is undated. A dated signature is required by 22VAC131-180-J-2-a. 2) The narrative documentation portion of the home study for PH1 failed to document an assessment that the applicants: a. 22VAC40-131-180-J-2-e-3: Have an understanding of the importance of establishing and enforcing rules to encourage desired behavior and discourage undesired behavior, b. 22VAC40-131-180-J-2-e-4: Understand they are prohibited from using any form of corporal punishment on the child and also prohibited from giving permission to others to use any form of corporal punishment on the child, c. 22VAC40-131-180-J-2-e-10: Have in-force vehicle liability insurance; the providers will transport children. 4) During the exit interview, S1 acknowledged that the home study for PH1 did not contain these required elements.
Plan of Correction:	Before a new family can be certified their file including the home study report will be reviewed by the Team Lead, Program Manager and our Compliance staff person to ensure that all required elements are documented in the narrative.
Standard #:	22VAC40-131-260-B-9
Description:	Violation: Based on review of the record of a child receiving foster care services (FC1), the licensee failed to include a required element. Evidence: 1) The licensee did not include the educational and occupational history for paternal grandparents and the maternal grandmother in the social history for FC1 dated 12/26/2019. 2) During the exit interview, the program manager acknowledged the information was not included.
Plan of Correction:	Team Lead and Program Manager will review/audit all new consumer reports to include the Social History to ensure all required information is documented.