VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Siena Adoption Services
2324 N. Early Street
Alexandria, VA 22302
(703) 477-0411

Current Inspector: Dawn Espelage (540) 759-8852

Inspection Date: Aug. 17, 2020

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

22VAC40-131 PERSONNEL 22VAC40-131 PROVIDER HOMES 22VAC40-131 CHILDREN'S SERVICES 22VAC40-131 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SPECIFIC PROGRAMS 63.2 Adoption 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 monitoring inspection was initiated on 8/17/2020. The inspection was concluded on 8/24/2020. The social worker/agency representative was contacted by telephone to initiate the inspection. The agency reports 7 approved provider homes. There are no children in the agency's custody. The inspector emailed the social worker/agency representative a list of items required to complete the inspection. The inspector reviewed documents from 2 provider home records and 2 personnel records submitted by the agency. An exit interview was conducted on 8/24/20 with the social worker/agency representative. Information gathered during the inspection determined non-compliances with applicable standards or law, and violations were documented on the violation notice issued to the agency. Upon receipt of the violation notice, the licensee must develop a plan of correction for each violation. The plan of correction must include the following: 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 non-compliance will be corrected. The licensee has ten (10) calendar days from receipt of the inspection documentation to complete the section entitled "Plan of Correction", sign each page of the Plan of Correction and return it to the Licensing Office. The licensee retains a copy to be posted at the facility. Results of the inspection are subject to public disclosure and will be posted on the VDSS web site within five (5) days, regardless of whether or not the Plan of Correction has been completed.

Violations:

Standard #:	22VAC40-191-40-D-1-c
Description:	Violation: Based on a review of the agency's hard copy file and an interview and email with an agency representative (AR-1), the agency failed to obtain sworn statements, central registry findings, and criminal history record checks for two employees (P-1 and P-2) before three years since the dates of their last sworn statements, central registry findings, and criminal history record checks. Evidence: 1. No sworn statements, central registry findings, or criminal history record checks for P-1 and P-2 were sent for review when they were requested by the licensing specialist. 2. In a phone interview on 8/20/20, AR-1 acknowledged that they could not find the background checks for P-1 and P-2. AR-1 stated that the original sworn statements, central registry findings, and criminal history record checks for P-1 and P-2 were provided to the licensing specialist as part of their initial application for a license in 2017 and that they did not keep copies. 3. On 8/24/20, the licensing specialist was unable to locate the sworn statements, central registry findings, and criminal history record checks in the hard copy file maintained by the Division of Licensing. Based on inspection documentation maintained in the hard copy file, the licensing specialist determined that the records for P-1 and P-2 were reviewed at the initial site visit on 3/10/17. 4. Since the initial site visit took place on 3/10/17, the sworn statements, central registry findings, and criminal history record checks that were obtained for P-1 and P-2 are outdated. 5. In an email on 8/24/20, AR-1 acknowledged that it "slipped her mind" that they were due for background checks.
Plan of Correction:	Will obtain current sworn statements, central registry checks, and criminal history record checks.