VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Commonwealth Catholic Charities
2131 Valley View Blvd. NW
Roanoke, VA 24012
(540) 342-0411

Current Inspector: Dawn Espelage (540) 759-8852

Inspection Date: Jan. 21, 2021

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

22VAC40-131 ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION 22VAC40-131 PERSONNEL 22VAC40-131 PROVIDER HOMES 22VAC40-131 CHILDREN'S SERVICES 22VAC40-131 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SPECIFIC PROGRAMS 22VAC40-80 THE LICENSE. 63.2 General Provisions. 22VAC40-191 Background Checks for Child Welfare Agencies

Comments:

A renewal inspection was initiated on January 20, 2021 and concluded on March 9, 2021. The Program Manager of Foster Care was contacted to initiate the inspection. The agency reported 17 approved homes and 22 foster children in placement. There were two (2) new staff since the last inspection. The inspector emailed the Program Manager a list of items required to complete the inspection. The inspector reviewed two (2) provider home records, three (3) foster child records, two (2) personnel records, and records for four (4) board officers to include background checks and references for three new appointees to ensure documentation was complete. An exit interview to discuss findings was held with the Director of Children's Services, Program Manager, and Foster Care Case Worker at the conclusion of the inspection. The Licensing Inspector has reviewed with the provider COVID-19 Essential Guidance for Child Care Programs. Information gathered during the inspection determined non-compliance(s) with applicable standards or law, and violations were documented on the violation notice. The licensee has five (5) calendar days from receipt of the inspection documentation to complete the section titled Plan of Correction, sign each page of the documentation and return it to the Licensing Office. The plan of correction should include the following: The steps to correct noncompliance with the standard(s); measures to prevent re-occurrence of noncompliance; person(s) responsible for implementation and monitoring of preventative measure(s); and date by which noncompliance will be corrected. The licensee should retain a copy to be posted at the facility. Results of the inspection documentation are subject to public disclosure and will be posted on the VDSS web site within 5 days, regardless of whether the Plan of Correction is completed.

Violations:

Standard #:	22VAC40-131-250-L
Description:	Based on review of the "Pre-placement Narrative and Justification for Placement" signed on 12/08/2020 for a foster child (FC1) and interview with personnel (S1 and S2), the agency failed to prepare the child for placement and arrange a preplacement visit for the child in the prospective home. Evidence: 1. The document stated that a pre-placement visit was not held, citing the reason as "Emergency placement referral, placement occurred in less than 48 hours from referral." 2. Contact notes dated 12/04/2020 stated that FC1 was placed from a previous foster home setting. 3. During an interview, S1 stated that the referral was received at the beginning of the work day on 12/03/2020. The child was placed on 12/04/2020. 4. During an interview, S2 stated that the Department of Social Services worker requested the child be moved before the week-end. 5. The child's placement does not meet the definition of an "emergency placement" as found in 22VAC40-131-10 of the Standards for Licensed Child-Placing Agencies. 6. S1 acknowledged that the placement did not meet the definition and that a pre-placement visit could have been considered.
Plan of Correction:	The standard will be reviewed with staff with emphasis on the need for there to be abuse or neglect in the home of origin in order to meet the definition of emergency placement/referral, to waive the need for a preplacement visit or contact.
Standard #:	22VAC40-131-250-M
Description:	Based on review of the "Pre-placement Narrative and Justification for Placement" signed on 12/08/2020 for a foster child (FC1) and interview with personnel (S1 and S2), the agency failed to interview the child prior to placement. Evidence: 1. The document stated that a pre-placement interview was not held, citing the reason as "Emergency placement referral, placement occurred in less than 48 hours from referral." 2. Contact notes dated 12/04/2020 stated that FC1 was placed from a previous foster home. 3. During an interview, S1 stated that the referral was received at the beginning of the work day on 12/03/2020. The child was placed on Friday, 12/04/2020. 4. During an interview, S2 stated that the Department of Social Services worker requested the child be moved before the week-end. 5. The child's placement does not meet the definition of an "emergency placement" as found in 22VAC40-131-10 of the Standards for Licensed Child-Placing Agencies. 6. S1 acknowledged that the placement did not meet the definition and that a pre-placement visit could have been considered.
Plan of Correction:	The standard will be reviewed with staff with emphasis on the need for there to be abuse or neglect in the home of origin in order to meet the definition of "emergency" placement , referral, to waive the need for the agency to interview the child prior to placement even if under 72 hours.