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: Sept. 30, 2024 and Oct. 1, 2024

Complaint Related: Yes

Areas Reviewed:

22VAC40-131 PROVIDER HOMES 22VAC40-131 CHILDREN?S SERVICES 22VAC40-131 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SPECIFIC PROGRAMS 22VAC40-191 BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR CHILD WELFARE AGENCIES

Technical Assistance:

22VAC40-131-290.C.6 Discussion regarding auditory acuity element in the medical evaluation.

Comments:

Type of inspection: Complaint An unannounced inspection was completed via desk review on 9/30/24 from 1:45 p.m. ? 5:00 p.m. and 10/1/24 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. A preliminary review was held on 10/2/24. A complaint was received by VDSS Division of Licensing on 8/28/24 regarding allegations in the areas of: 22VAC40-131-190.B Home Environment 22VAC40-131-330.I Continuing Contact Number of children?s records reviewed: 3 Number of provider records reviewed: 1 Number of collateral interviews: 1 Number of interviews conducted with staff: 2 An exit meeting was conducted on 10/09/2024 to review the inspection findings. The evidence gathered during the investigation did not support the allegation(s) of non-compliance with standard(s) or law. However, violation(s) not related to the complaint(s) but identified during the course of the investigation can be found on the violation notice. The licensee has the opportunity to submit a plan of correction to indicate how the cited violation(s) will be addressed in order to return the facility to compliance and maintain future compliance with applicable standard(s) or law. If the licensee wishes to provide a plan of correction: (i) type the plan on a separate Word document, (ii) identify the standard violation number being addressed, (iii) include the date the violation will be corrected, (IV) do not include any names or confidential information, and (V) return to the licensing inspector by email within five (5) business days of the exit interview. Compliance with all applicable regulations and law shall be maintained and any areas of noncompliance must be corrected. Within 15 calendar days of your receipt of the inspection findings (inspection summary, violation notice, and supplemental information), you may request a review and discussion of these findings with the inspector's immediate supervisor. To make a request for review and discussion, you must contact the licensing supervisor at the regional licensing office that serves your geographical area. Regardless of whether a supervisory review has been requested, the results of the inspection will be posted to the DSS public website within 5 business days of your receipt of the Inspection Summary and/ or Violation Notice. The department's inspection findings are subject to public disclosure. Please Note: A copy of the findings of the most recent inspection are required to be posted on the premises of the facility. For more information about the VDSS Licensing Programs, please visit: www.dss.virginia.gov Should you have any questions, please contact Dawn Espelage, Licensing Inspector at 540-759-8852 or by email at dawn.espelage@dss.virginia.gov

Violations:

Standard #:	22VAC40-131-250-G-4
Complaint related:	No
Description:	22VAC40-131-250.G.3.j & 4 Violation: Based on record review, the agency failed to document all elements for intake, acceptance, and placement of foster child (FC) 2. Findings: 1) The file contained a written assessment dated 5/8/24. 2) Emergency contact information was documented as birth family and fictive kin, not custodian and placing agency. 3) The written assessment listed the family members and contact with child; strengths and needs of birth family was not addressed. 4) Agency staff acknowledged the finding at exit.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	22VAC40-131-250-O
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Violation: Based on record review, the agency failed to complete the written assessment within 30 days for FC2. Findings: 1) FC2 was placed on 4/4/24. 2) The written assessment was dated 5/8/24. 3) Agency staff acknowledged the finding during the preliminary findings review.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	22VAC40-131-260-B-6
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Violation: Based on record review, the agency did not address all elements in the Social History for FC2. Findings: 1) FC2?s file contained a social history dated 5/17/24. 2) The social history did not contain information related to developmental history of FC2. 3) The social history did not reference attempts to gather information related to developmental history. 4) Staff acknowledged the finding during the exit review.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	22VAC40-131-330-G-3
Complaint related:	No
Description:	22VAC40-131-330.G.3, 4, & 5 Violation: Based on record review, the agency failed to clearly document private interviews, condition of child, and observed interactions between foster child and foster family regarding FC1 and FC2. Findings: 1) Case narrative reflected home visits/contact with FC1 on 5/6/24, 5/13/24, 6/4/24, 6/13/24, 6/26/24, 7/15/24, and 7/23/24. 2) The above referenced case notes detailed what was stated during the contact, but no observational notes, and no clear private contact with FC1. 3) FC1 case notes detailed foster parent?s concerns regarding FC1?s hygiene, isolation, refusal of services, and condition of room and laundry. 4) Home visits by the agency?s representative did not address direct observation of these conditions, other than refusal of services. 5) Case narrative reflected home visits/contact with FC2 on 5/1/24, 5/6/24, 5/13/24, and 5/20/24. 6) The above referenced case notes detailed what was stated during the contact, but no observational notes, and no clear private contact with FC2. 7) FC2?s documentation did provide a clear private interview for the month of April (4/15/24.) 8) Agency staff acknowledged the finding during the exit review.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	22VAC40-131-360-E-3
Complaint related:	No
Description:	22VAC40-131-360.E3 & 5 Violation: Based on record review, the agency failed to complete all elements of the discharge summary for FC2. Findings: 1) FC2?s file contained a discharge summary dated 6/12/24. 2) The discharge summary did not provide the name of the individual FC2 was discharged to. 3) The discharge summary did not address FC2?s progress. 4) Agency staff acknowledged the finding during the exit review.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.