VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

HopeTree Family Services
300 Franklin Street
Suite 220
Martinsville, VA 24112
(276) 790-3720

Current Inspector: Dawn Espelage (540) 759-8852

Inspection Date: Sept. 28, 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 09/28/2020 and concluded on 10/13/2020. The director was contacted by telephone to initiate the inspection. The agency reported 12 children in care and 9 approved provider homes. The inspector emailed the director a list of items required to complete the inspection. The inspector reviewed 2 provider home records, 2 children records and 1 personnel record. Background checks for 2 additional provider homes were reviewed. No new hires reported since the last inspection. The agency submitted Covid-19 policies and procedures. An exit interview was conducted by telephone on 10/13/2020 at approximately 1:00 pm with the Director of Foster Care and Adoption, Associate Director of Foster Care and Adoption and the Foster Care Supervisor. 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 1 citation 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 #:	22VAC40-191-40-D-1-f
Description:	Violation: Based on a review of the record for FH1 and interview with Agency Representative (AR) AR1, the licensee failed to ensure the repeat criminal record checks for the providers were completed before 3 years since the dates of the last checks. Findings: Foster Home (FH) FH1 is a two-parent home. The most recent criminal record checks for both providers are dated 08/06/2020. The previous criminal record checks for both providers are dated 06/30/2017. During an interview with AR1, it was acknowledged that the repeat criminal record checks were out of compliance.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	22VAC40-191-40-D-1-f
Description:	Violation: Based on a review of the record for FH1 and interview with Agency Representative (AR) AR1, the licensee failed to ensure the repeat criminal record checks for the providers were completed before 3 years since the dates of the last checks. Findings: Foster Home (FH) FH1 is a two-parent home. The most recent criminal record checks for both providers are dated 08/06/2020. The previous criminal record checks for both providers are dated 06/30/2017. During an interview with AR1, it was acknowledged that the repeat criminal record checks were out of compliance.
Plan of Correction:	Associate Director of Foster Care and Adoption will review 22VAC40-191-(BC)-40D-1-f with all staff during the staff meeting on October 21, 2020. The agency has also created and filled a new position, Foster Home Case Worker. This position with support from and under the direct supervision of the Associate Director of Foster Care and Adoption, will be responsible for tracking and completing background checks.