VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

StepStone Family & Youth Services
2201 Graves Mill Road
Suite D
Forest, VA 24551
(434) 832-1326

Current Inspector: Dawn Espelage (540) 759-8852

Inspection Date: Nov. 8, 2019

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

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:

An unannounced monitoring inspection was conducted on November 8, 2019 from 9:00 AM to 3:08 PM. Braley and Thompson reports a total of 21 provider homes and 18 foster children in placement. During this inspection, three provider home records, two foster child records, and two personnel files were reviewed. An exit interview was conducted with the Program Manager at the conclusion of the inspection. An acknowledgement form was signed. There was one violation. Upon the receipt of the violation notice, the licensee should identify the necessary corrective action and develop a plan of correction for each violation. 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 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 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 #:	22VAC40-191-40-D-1-b
Description:	Violation: Based on a review of the personnel file for an employee (S1) and interview with personnel (S3), the central registry search for S1 was not received before 30 days of employment at the facility ended. Evidence: 1. The central registry search report for S1 was dated 36 days after the employee's date of hire. 2. S3 was asked about the central registry search; S3 provided an email S4 sent to the Office of Background investigations (OBI) inquiring about the status. 3. The email sent to OBI was dated 45 days after the employee's hire date, which does not meet the criteria for an exception to this violation as described in 22VAC40-191-60.D. 4. S3 verified by email on 11/14/2019 that no other email communication with OBI regarding the status of the central registry search was available.
Plan of Correction:	If by day 30 of the new employee's date of hire, the Background checks from OBI have not been returned for said staff member, the State Trainer will request an update via email to OBI within four days of the 30th day of hire. If OBI does not respond, B&T will contact VADSS Licensing and continue to contact OBI for information.