VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Embrace Foster Care
6345 Center Drive
Norfolk, VA 23502
(757) 847-9385

Current Inspector: Sherry Woodard (757) 987-0839

Inspection Date: Nov. 22, 2021 and Dec. 8, 2021

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

22VAC40-131 ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION 22VAC40-131 PERSONNEL 22VAC40-131 PROVIDER HOMES 22VAC40-131 CHILDREN'S SERVICES 22VAC40-191 Background Checks for Child Welfare Agencies

Comments:

A monitoring inspection was initiated on November 22, 2021 and concluded on December 8, 2021. The Executive Director was contacted by telephone to initiate the inspection. The Executive Director reported that the current census was 39 children and youth. The inspector emailed the Executive Director a list of items required to complete the documentation review portion of the inspection. The inspector reviewed three (3) children?s records, three (3) staff records, and six (6) provider home records. An exit meeting was conducted with Executive Director via telephone on December 8, 2021, where findings were reviewed and an opportunity was given for questions, as well as for providing any information or documentation which was not available during the inspection. Information gathered during the inspection determined non-compliance with applicable standards or law, and violations were documented on the violation notice issued to the agency.

Violations:

Standard #:	22VAC40-131-180-J-1
Description:	Violation: Based on review of the record for foster home FH3 and interview with agency representative AR1, tuberculosis (TB) screening assessments were not documented for household members, HM1, HM2, HM3, and HM4 in foster home FH3. Findings: 1. The TB screening assessment results were omitted on the medical form completed for each household member, HM1, HM2, HM3, and HM4. 2. AR1 confirmed that the medical forms for each of the identified household members did not include a TB screening assessment. Violation: Based on review of the record for foster home FH5 and interview with agency representative AR1, sworn disclosure statements were not documented in the foster home record. Findings: 1. The sworn disclosure statements were not in the record at the time of the review. 2. AR1 was interviewed regarding the missing sworn statements and stated that the sworn statements had been completed by both foster parents, as required. AR1 confirmed that the sworn disclosure statements had not been uploaded to the record at the time of the inspection. 3. AR1 provided the sworn statements completed for FH5 to the licensing specialist for review by email on 12/08/2021.
Plan of Correction:	Director will retrain the Foster Parent Coordinators to look for TB Screenings on all biological or adopted kids in the home at time of certification or re-certification. The correct Sworn Statements have now been uploaded in the record.
Standard #:	22VAC40-131-180-J-2
Description:	Violation: Based on review of the record for foster home FH3 and interview with agency representative AR1, the home study failed to document that the home complies with the standards for the home as required by 22VAC40-131-190. Findings: 1. 22VAC40-131-190-R-3 requires the key or combination to the locked closet and cabinet shall at all times be maintained out of reach of children. 2. The home study for FH3 documents that firearms are kept in the home. The firearms were stored in a gun safe in the master bedroom closet and the firearm and ammunition were stored in separate lockboxes. 3. The home study does not document the location of the keys to the lockboxes for the firearm and ammunition. 4. AR1 confirmed that this information was not documented in either the home study or the home environment checklist.
Plan of Correction:	An addendum to the home study has been completed notating the location of the keys.