VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

StepStone Family & Youth Services
4300 Ridgewood Center Drive
Woodbridge, VA 22192
(703) 878-8216

Current Inspector: Sherry Woodard (757) 987-0839

Inspection Date: Oct. 20, 2020

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 22VAC40-191 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 renewal inspection was initiated on 10/20/2020 and concluded on 10/26/2020. The program director was contacted by telephone to initiate the inspection. The agency reported five children in care, and five approved provider homes. The agency reports no new staff since the last inspection. The inspector emailed the program manager a list of items required to complete the inspection. The inspector reviewed 1 child record, 1 provider home record and 1 staff record. Background checks for one corporate board officer were reviewed. The agency previously submitted COVID-19 policies and procedures. An exit interview was conducted by telephone on 10/26/2020 at approximately 2:15 pm with the program director, program manager, supervisor and case manager. 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. There were 3 citations for 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 #:	22VAC40-131-230-E-1
Description:	Violation: Based on review of the record for FH1 and interviews with AR3 and AR4, the licensee failed to ensure the re-evaluation included interviewing the providers in the home. Findings: 1. The re-evaluation for FH1 dated 5/4/20 fails to document interviews with the providers in the home. 2. During an interview with AR3, it was acknowledged that the re-evaluation did not document the required interview with the providers. 3. AR4 acknowledged that the record failed to document an interview with the providers for the re-evaluation.
Plan of Correction:	Document author is no longer employed by B&T. All staff have been re-trained and instructed, by the Director of FC that foster home re-evaluations must be face to face and meet all requirements as listed in the CPA Standards. B&T Staff were in the home within several weeks prior to the re-evaluation date.
Standard #:	22VAC40-131-230-F
Description:	Violation: Based on review of the record for FH1 and interviews with AR2 and AR4 the licensee failed to ensure the re-evaluation documented the required information: Findings: 1. The re-evaluation dated 5/4/20 fails to document a brief description of each child's adjustment, to the family and home as required by 22VAC40-131-230-F-1. 2. The re-evaluation fails to document a description of the relationship between each child and each family member and if any foster children or youth have been removed from FH1 as required by 22VAC40-131-230-F3. 3. During interviews with AR2 and AR4 it was acknowledged that the re-evaluation was out of compliance.
Plan of Correction:	Document author is no longer employed by B&T. All staff have been re-trained and instructed, by the Director of FC that foster home re-evaluations must be face to face and meet all requirements as listed in the CPA Standards. An addendum has been added to the document.
Standard #:	22VAC40-131-260-B-5
Description:	Violation: Based on review of the record for Foster Child (FC) FC1, the licensee failed to ensure the social history included the names of previous caretakers. Findings: 1. The social history for FC1 is dated 9/22/20 and documents previous foster home placements. 2. The social history fails to document the names of previous caretakers for FC1.
Plan of Correction:	Documents provided by locality had redacted names of previous caretakers. All staff have been re-trained and instructed by Director of FC that all components of Social History must be completed as directed in the CPA Standards. Should the locality not provide the documentation, staff are to bring the concern to the Director of FC, so that communication with the locality can be established to allow the Social History to be a living document for the consumer. Document has be requested again from the locality and will be added to the file.