VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Intercept Youth Services, Inc. operating as Intercept Health
5673 Airport Road
Roanoke, VA 24012
(540) 344-7700

Current Inspector: Jamie Morgan (276) 525-5656

Inspection Date: Dec. 17, 2020 , Dec. 18, 2020 , Dec. 21, 2020 and Dec. 22, 2020

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

22VAC40-131 PROVIDER HOMES 22VAC40-131 CHILDREN'S SERVICES

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. An announced focused inspection was initiated on 12/17/2020 and concluded on 12/22/2020. The agency reported 15 children in foster care and 17 approved provider homes. During this inspection two (2) child and four (4) foster home records were reviewed. The Treatment Foster Care (TFC) Director responded to the notice of inspection, provided access to records, and remained available during the inspection. The TFC Director, Family Services Specialist Supervisor, Documentation Supervisor, Sr. Manager of Family Services, Sr. Client Operations Manager, Admissions Manager, Regional Supervisor, and TFC Program Manager participated in the exit interview on 12/22/2020. There was one citation for a violation of the Standards for Child-Placing Agencies. Upon receipt of the Violation Notice, the licensee should develop a plan of correction to include the steps to correct non-compliance with the standard(s); measures to prevent re-occurrence of non-compliance; person(s) responsible for implementation and monitoring of preventative measure(s); and date by which noncompliance will be corrected. The licensee has five business days from receipt of the inspection documents to complete the section entitled "Plan of Correction", sign each page of the inspection documents and return to the Licensing Office. The licensee should retain a copy to be posted at the facility. Results of the inspection are subject to public disclosure and will be posted on the Virginia Department of Social Services public web site within five business days, regardless of whether or not the Plan of Correction is completed.

Violations:

Standard #:	22VAC40-131-250-J
Description:	Violation: Based on record review and interviews, prior to the placement of Foster Child 1 (FC1) into Foster Home 3 (FH3), the agency failed to assist the prospective foster family with making an informed decision as to whether that particular child was appropriate for placement. Findings: 1) The case record for FC1 documented the child was placed in three (3) foster homes from the date of acceptance through the date of this inspection. FC1 was in respite with FH4 at the time of inspection. 2) The Intake Assessment for FC1 documented the reason the child was referred for placement was due to behavior of FC1 in a foster home. 3) The Social History for FC1 documented the child was referred to the agency due to behavior in a prior placement. 4) A Quarterly Progress Review for the third quarter documented FH1 reported an incident on 8/9/2020 between FC1 and another child placed in the home. 5) The case record for FC1 documented the child?s placement with FH2 on 8/25/2020. 6) The case record for FC1 documented the child?s placement with FH3 on 10/23/2020. 7) The case record for FH3 contained a Client Specific Training form. The form documents specific information communicated to the foster parent about FC1 prior to the placement of the child in the home. The form did not include behavioral information as documented in the child?s Intake Assessment, Social History, and third Quarter Progress Review report. 8) A Serious Incident Report (SIR) dated 12/5/2020 documented an incident between FC1 and Foster Child 2 (FC2) during which police and emergency medical services were called to the home. Physical intervention was required by the foster parent to prevent injury to FC2. 9) Interviews were conducted with two staff members (S9 and S10) and FH3. No information was provided during these interviews substantiating that FH3 was provided with information about the behaviors of FC1 as documented in the Intake Assessment, Social History, and Quarterly Progress Review for the purpose of assisting the foster parent in making an informed decision as to whether FC1 was appropriate for placement in the home. 10) The findings were discussed during the exit interview. Additional information was not provided to substantiate that FH3 was informed of documented behaviors of FC1 prior to accepting the child for placement.
Plan of Correction:	In response to the 22VAC40-131-(6)-250-J violation, that was cited at Intercept Health Roanoke location on 12/17/2020, 12/18/2020, 12/21/2020, and 12/22/2020, Intercept TFC Director, Jennifer Shively, will provide training by 1/18/2021 to all TFC staff regarding the requirement of documenting training and guidance for all types of placements (emergency, planned, internal moves and respite) to prospective foster parents by Intercept staff in order to assist the prospective foster family with making an informed decision as to whether that particular child is appropriate for placement in their home prior to placement. The training will also reinforce the required documentation needed for the file. The TFC Director met with Regional Supervisor Rita Orange and Senior Manager of Client Operations on 01/04/2020 to discuss conducting this training regarding this requirement as well as implementing a procedure to ensure that prospective foster parents are receiving all information regarding the child in order for the family to make an informed decision prior to placement in their home. In order to further prevent this type of violation in the future, TFC Director will implement a procedure of having a transition meeting prior to transitioning the child to the prospective home with all Intercept staff involved in the child?s case as well as the prospective foster parents to discuss the client?s case to include but not limited to referral behaviors, emotional needs, behaviors observed throughout placement with Intercept, diagnoses, medications and side effects, treatment goals, coping techniques, safety plan, daily routine, dietary preferences, allergies, physical/medical conditions, and allowable contacts. Transition meetings will also need to be conducted when there is a change in case managers. In the event of an emergency internal move or emergency respite, all known information will be provided to the prospective foster parent regarding the child and the transition meeting will occur on the next business day. TFC Supervisor will also meet with staff to review documentation requirements and information/training to be provided to foster parents with staff prior to a change in placement and/or case manager. This procedure will be implemented 2/1/2021. The documentation team will ensure compliance in this area as well by reviewing foster children?s charts quarterly. This will be monitored by Jennifer Shively.