VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

DePaul Community Resources
4859 Waterlick Road
Forest, VA 24551
(434) 455-3727

Current Inspector: Dawn Espelage (540) 759-8852

Inspection Date: Dec. 8, 2020

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

22VAC40-131 PERSONNEL 22VAC40-131 PROVIDER HOMES 22VAC40-131 CHILDREN'S SERVICES 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. An announced monitoring inspection was conducted on 12/8/2020. The agency reported six (6) children in foster care and 11 approved provider homes. During this inspection two (2) foster child, two (2) provider home, and one (1) personnel records were reviewed. The Director of Foster Care and Independent Living responded to the notice of inspection, provided access to records, and remained available during the inspection. Two Foster Care Specialists and the Regional Manager of Foster Care and Independent Living were interviewed and participated in the exit interview. There were two citations for violations of the Standards for Licensed Child-Placing Agencies. See the violation notice on the Department?s public web site for violations of the Standards. 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 #:	22VAC40-131-370-N-10
Description:	Violation: Based on record review and interview, the agency failed to maintain all required documents in the case record for Foster Child 2 (FC2). Findings: 1) The case record for FC2 did not contain a birth certificate. 2) During the exit interview, staff reviewed the record and acknowledged a birth certificate or documentation of efforts to obtain the certificate were not in the record. 3) Staff 3 (S3) was interviewed and stated the certificate was requested from the local department of social services having custody of the child. The Licensing Inspector requested documentation of the effort to obtain the certificate. 4) Following the exit interview, Staff 4 (S4) emailed the Licensing Inspector and stated documentation was not located.
Plan of Correction:	DePaul worker will follow up with the agency to acquire the birth certificate. The certificate will be placed in the record upon receipt. Program Director will remind staff of the importance of acquiring all admission paperwork and documenting any requests for missing paperwork.
Standard #:	22VAC40-191-40-D-4-b
Description:	Violation: Based on record review and interview, the agency failed to obtain criminal history background results for adult household member 1(H1) in Foster Home 1 (FH1). Findings: 1) The record for FH1 did not contain criminal history background results for H1within 30 days of the person becoming 18 years old. 2) Staff 4 (S4) was interviewed and indicated the search requested was submitted but acknowledged the results were not in the record. S4 agreed to review their agency?s transaction log with the Office of Background Investigations and provide any additional documentation by 9:00 a.m. 12/10/2020. 3) The Licensing Inspector received an email from S4 with documentation that the search was requested seven (7) days following the youth?s 18th birthday. No search results were available or provided. 4) More than 30 days have passed since H1 became 18 years old.
Plan of Correction:	The adult household member was scheduled for an appointment for another background check and the appointment was completed on 12/17/2020. Results will be provided to VDSS and placed in the the home file upon receipt. Program Director will remind staff of the importance of monitoring other children in the home for the purpose of background check completion.