VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Hopetree Family Services
860 Mount Vernon Lane
Salem, VA 24153
(540) 444-0566

Current Inspector: Jamie Morgan (276) 525-5656

Inspection Date: Feb. 27, 2024

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

22VAC40-131 GENERAL PROVISIONS 22VAC40-131 ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION 22VAC40-131 PERSONNEL 22VAC40-131 PROGRAM STATEMENT 22VAC40-131 PROVIDER HOMES 22VAC40-131 CHILDREN?S SERVICES 22VAC40-131 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SPECIFIC PROGRAMS 22VAC40-191 BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR CHILD WELFARE AGENCIES

Comments:

Type of inspection: Renewal An unannounced, mandated renewal inspection was completed on 2/27/24 from 10:15 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. The Acknowledgement of Inspection form was signed and left at the facility on 2/27/24. A preliminary findings review was held on the same date with the Director and Associate Director of Foster Care. Number of children in care: 9 Number of approved provider homes: 11 The licensing inspector completed a tour of the physical plant that included the office setting and conditions. Number of children?s records reviewed: 2 Number of provider records reviewed: 2 Number of staff records reviewed: 8 and 8 Board Members Number of interviews conducted with staff: 2 Additional Comments/Discussion: An exit meeting was held on 3/6/24.. The evidence gathered during the inspection determined non-compliance with applicable standard(s) or law, and violation(s) were documented on the violation notice issued to the facility. The licensee has the opportunity to submit a plan of correction to indicate how the cited violation(s) will be addressed in order to return the facility to compliance and maintain future compliance with applicable standard(s) or law. If the licensee wishes to provide a plan of correction: (i) type the plan on a separate Word document, (ii) identify the standard violation number being addressed, (iii) include the date the violation will be corrected, (IV) do not include any names or confidential information, and (V) return to the licensing inspector by email within five (5) business days of the exit interview. Compliance with all applicable regulations and law shall be maintained and any areas of noncompliance must be corrected. Within 15 calendar days of your receipt of the inspection findings (inspection summary, violation notice, and supplemental information), you may request a review and discussion of these findings with the inspector's immediate supervisor. To make a request for review and discussion, you must contact the licensing supervisor at the regional licensing office that serves your geographical area. Regardless of whether a supervisory review has been requested, the results of the inspection will be posted to the DSS public website within 5 business days of your receipt of the Inspection Summary and/ or Violation Notice. The department's inspection findings are subject to public disclosure. Please Note: A copy of the findings of the most recent inspection are required to be posted on the premises of the facility. For more information about the VDSS Licensing Programs, please visit: www.dss.virginia.gov Should you have any questions, please contact Dawn Espelage, Licensing Inspector at 540-759-8852 or by email at dawn.espelage@dss.virginia.gov.

Violations:

Standard #:	22VAC40-191-40-D-1-c
Description:	Violation: Based on review of documents and interview, the agency failed to obtain updated background checks for Board Member 8 (B8) and Staff 10 (S10) within three years of the prior background checks. Findings: 1) Background checks were reviewed for B8. 2) The date of the Sworn Statement was 3/4/2019. 3) The date of the Central Registry was 3/22/2019. 4) The date of the Criminal History was 3/15/2019. 5) The licensing specialist asked Staff 3 (S3) if there were more recent background checks. 6) S3 stated no other background checks were found in B8?s record. 7) Background checks were reviewed for S10. 8) The last Central Registry was dated 12/15/2020 and the most current was dated 1/11/2024. 9) The last criminal history was dated 12/15/2020 and the most current criminal history was dated 1/8/2024. 10) The licensing specialist verified the request dates of the background checks for S10 in case the checks were requested prior to the three-year due date. The Central Registry was requested on 1/5/2024. The Criminal History system was not working on 1/5/2024 and the check was requested on 1/8/2024. 7) The findings were discussed during the preliminary review/exit with S1 and S2.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	22VAC40-191-40-D-5-a
Description:	Violation: Based on record review and interview, the agency failed to obtain a Central Registry background check within 30 days of a household member (HM1) turning 14 years of age. Findings: 1) The Central Registry check was reviewed for HM1. 2) The Central Registry check was dated 7/17/2023. 3) HM1 turned 14 on 2/17/23. 4) The findings were discussed during the preliminary review with S1 and S2.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.