VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Presbyterian Homes and Family Services operating as HumanKind
1903 Humankind Way
Lynchburg, VA 24503
(434) 384-3131

Current Inspector: Dawn Espelage (540) 759-8852

Inspection Date: Oct. 3, 2023 and Oct. 4, 2023

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

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

Technical Assistance:

22VAC40-131-240.B Discussion regarding clarity in written justification and details regarding impact/needs of other children in the home.

Comments:

Type of inspection: Monitoring, Focused A focused, unannounced monitoring inspection was held on site 10/3/2023 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:25 p.m. and desk review on 10/4/23 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The acknowledgement of inspection form was signed electronically. A preliminary findings meeting was held by conference call on 10/4/23. Number of children in care: 36 Number of approved provider homes: 23 The licensing inspector completed a tour of the physical plant that included the office setting and conditions. Number of children?s records reviewed: 3 Number of interviews conducted with staff: 2 Number of provider homes reviewed: 2 An exit meeting was conducted on 11/13/23 to review the inspection findings. 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 #:	22VAC40-131-250-H
Description:	Violation: Based on record review and staff interview, the agency failed to review and consider all of the following information collected regarding Foster Child 3 (FC3) prior to recommending the type of home best suited to the child for placement dated 9/16/23 and did not document a recommendation and rationale based on this information. Findings: 1) The file contained an intake assessment dated 8/25/23 that provided information regarding FC3?s level of needs. The assessment documented a history of day treatment in school, a recent psychiatric hospitalization due to behaviors and threats of self-harm, diagnoses including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, intermittent explosive disorder, and disruptive mood disorder. The document also referenced a possible referral need for an autism assessment. 2) FC3?s file contained documentation of a disrupted placement dated 9/7/23. 3) FC3?s file contained documentation of a second disrupted placement dated 9/16/23. 4) Staff 2 (S2) provided information from the ?narrative account of pre-placement.? The information discussed the experience of the provider home selected in general parenting terms as well as available space. Information specific to meeting FC3?s needs was not documented. 5) Interview of S2 revealed no additional information in the record. S2 stated that in looking for placement, they received 13 no?s from providers before PH1 stated yes. 6) FC3 was placed with PH1, which included four children ranging in age from 9 ? 16, and three treatment foster care children (oldest 17). 7) Per report dated 9/24/23, FC3 got ?into an altercation and fight with the other children in the home and made threats of wanting to kill everyone.? FC3 was taken to the hospital and admitted to an acute psychiatric facility. FC3?s case is closed with the agency. 8)The findings were discussed during the preliminary findings review.
Plan of Correction:	Program Managers will undergo training by the Executive Director to systematically review all information gathered for foster child/children before recommending a suitable home. The training will emphasize the importance of considering all relevant details in the decision-making process. Subsequently, Program Managers will ensure that documentation consistently reflects appropriate recommendations and rationales based on the comprehensive information collected for each foster child.