VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

United Methodist Family Services
6935 Columbia Pike
Annandale, VA 22003
(703) 941-9008

Current Inspector: Kevin Lassiter (804) 241-2093

Inspection Date: Aug. 11, 2020

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:

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 monitoring inspection was initiated on 08/11/2020 and concluded on 08/18/2020. The regional director was contacted by telephone to initiate the inspection. The agency reported 12 children are in care, and 30 approved provider homes. The agency reported one new staff since the last inspection. The inspector emailed the regional director a list of items required to complete the inspection. The inspector reviewed 2 children?s records, three provider home records, and one staff record. Background checks for 9 additional provider homes were reviewed. The agency submitted COVID-19 policies and procedures. An exit interview was conducted by telephone on 8/18/2020 at approximately 3:10 pm with the regional director. 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 was one citation for violations of the Standards for Child-Placing Agencies. See the violation notice on the Department's public web site for violation of the Standards. 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 #:	22VAC40-191-40-C-1-d
Description:	Violation: Based on review of the record for Foster Home (FH) FH4 and interview with child-placing staff, CPA 1, the licensee failed to ensure a search of the central registry was completed for the state in which the prospective foster parents resided in the last five years prior to approval. Findings: 1. FH4 was approved on 5 /11/20. Provider 1 and Provider 2 are the foster parents who reside in FH4. 2. The sworn statements were completed by Provider 1 and Provider 2, prior to approval. The sworn statements document Provider 1 and Provider 2 resided in another state (S1) within the last 5 years. 3. CPA 1 was asked about the search for the other state by telephone on 08/17/2020. An email on 08/17/2020 acknowledged that central registry search for S1 was not completed.
Plan of Correction:	Upon becoming aware of the error in the background check from CT for this family, UMFS staff immediately submitted a request for the proper Child Protective Service check. The family was immediately place in the hold status. They will remain in on that status until the CPS clearance from CT is received. In all future home studies involving out of state background checks the UMFS staff receiving the background check will review it with their supervisor to ensure it is the appropriate one, meeting all licensing standards.