VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

StepStone Family & Youth Services operated by Braley & Thompson
2701 Emerywood Parkway
Suite 102
Richmond, VA 23228
(804) 756-3561

Current Inspector: Dawn Espelage (540) 759-8852

Inspection Date: Sept. 3, 2019

Complaint Related: Yes

Areas Reviewed:

22VAC40-131 ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION 22VAC40-131 CHILDREN'S SERVICES 22VAC40-131 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SPECIFIC PROGRAMS

Comments:

An unannounced complaint inspection was completed on September 3, 2019 from 10:00a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The complaint alleged the licensee was not making the required contacts with a child and had not completed an individualized service plan for the child. The licensee reports 15 children in care and 12 approved provider homes. One child's record was reviewed during this inspection. The program manager was interviewed during the inspection. The program manager was available for the inspection and exit interview. The state director participated in the exit interview via telephone which commenced at 4:00 pm on September 3, 2019. The complaint is deemed valid and there were five citations for violations of the Standards for Child-Placing Agencies. See the violation notice on the Department's public web site for violations of the Standards. An acknowledgment form was signed and left with the program manager at the end of the inspection. 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 #:	22VAC40-131-40-B
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Violation: Based on a review of the record for Foster Child (FC) FC1 and interview with the program manager, the licensee failed to comply with it's own policies and procedures regarding face to face contacts with children. Findings: FC1 was placed with the agency on 6/25/19 at the assessment level. The licensee's rate sheet and description of services was reviewed during the inspection. The rate sheet and description of services requires weekly face to face contact for children on the assessment level. FC1's record documents the required face to face contacts for treatment foster care. However, FC1 did not have a face to face contact weekly as required for the assessment level during the month of July 2019. During an interview with the program manager it was acknowledged that FC1 did not have weekly face to face contacts in July.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	22VAC40-131-250-O
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Violation: Based on a review of the record for FC1 and interview with the program manager, the licensee failed to ensure the written assessment contained all of the elements required by 22VAC40-131-250 G. Findings: The record for FC1 documents a written assessment dated 7/22/19. The assessment fails to include the names of individuals involved in staffing FC1's case. During an interview with the program manager it was acknowledged that the written assessment did not list the names of the individuals involved in staffing FC1's case.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	22VAC40-131-260-B
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Violation: Based on a review of the record for FC1 and interview with the program manager, the licensee failed to include the required information in the social history. Findings: The social history completed by the licensee for FC1 fails to include the date completed, information on the child's family structure, previous placement history, child's; developmental, educational and medical history, child's history as a victim of abuse and neglect, education and occupation of child's birth parents, medical and psychiatric history of child's birth family and emotional and psychological problems the child has experienced within the last 13 months, including strengths and needs of the child. During an interview with the program manager it was acknowledged that the required information was omitted from FC1's social history.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	22VAC40-131-290-C-6
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Violation: Based on a review of the record for FC1 and interview with the program manager, the licensee failed to ensure the medical examination completed for FC1 addressed the child's auditory acuity. Findings: The medical examination in the record for FC1 dated 8/18/19 fails to address FC1's auditory acuity. During an interview with the program manager, it was acknowledged that the medical examination did not address FC1's auditory acuity.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	22VAC40-131-340-B-2
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Violation: Based on a review of the record for Foster Child (FC) FC1 and interview with the program manager, the licensee failed to develop an individualized service plan for the child. Findings: FC1 was placed with the licensee on 6/25/19 and placed at the treatment level. The individualized treatment plan was due to be completed no later than 8/9/19. At the time of review, the record for FC1 failed to document an individualized treatment plan. During an interview with the program manager, it was acknowledged that the treatment plan has not been completed for FC1.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.