VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

United Methodist Family Services
1300 Augustine Avenue
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
(540) 898-1773

Current Inspector: Dawn Espelage (540) 759-8852

Inspection Date: May 19, 2021

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 05/19/2021 and concluded on 05/26/2021. The regional director was contacted by telephone to initiate the inspection. The agency reported 31 children in care and 33 approved provider homes. The inspector emailed the regional director a list of items required to complete the inspection. The inspector reviewed 4 children's records, 1 personnel record and 4 provider home records. Background checks for 6 additional provider homes were reviewed. An exit interview was conducted with the licensing inspector by telephone on 05/26/2021 at 10:00 am and 3 agency employees participated. 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 2 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-A
Description:	Violation: Based on review of the record for provider home (PH) PH8 and interviews with agency representatives (AR) AR1 and AR2, the licensee failed to visit PH8 every 90 days to monitor the performance of the provider. Findings PH8 was approved on11/3/20. The first 90 day monitoring visit was required by 2/30/21. At the time of review of PH8's record the monitoring report documented in the record was for 4/10/21, which was a phone call. PH8 had children placed in the home from 11/3/20 to 4/10/21. During the exit interview, AR1 and AR2 confirmed the only 90 day monitoring report in PH8's record was for 4/10/21.
Plan of Correction:	In weekly staff meetings, UMFS team will review families who are in need of monitoring visits to ensure none are missed.
Standard #:	22VAC40-191-40-C-1-f
Description:	Violation: Based on review of the record for provider home (PH) PH2, the licensee failed to ensure a national criminal record check was completed for other adult household member (OHM) OHM1 prior to the approval of PH2. Findings: PH2 was approved by the licensee on 12/11/20. The placement history in PH2's record documents a child was placed 3/19/21-3/21/21 and a second child was placed 4/4/21- 5/20/21. PH2's record documents being suspended on 5/20/2021 due to OHM1 not having a national criminal record check completed. PH2's record documents, the child placed on 4/4/21 was removed from PH2 on 5/20/21 .OHM1's criminal record check was completed on 5/25/21.
Plan of Correction:	The household member had moved in towards the end of the home study. UMFS will add an additional review of the household members just prior to approval to ensure all background checks are complete. Effective 6/10/21.