VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Presbyterian Homes and Family Services, Operating as HumanKind
625 Piney Forest Road
Suite 403B
Danville, VA 24540
(434) 384-3131

Current Inspector: Dawn Espelage (540) 759-8852

Inspection Date: Oct. 25, 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

Technical Assistance:

Licensing inspector discussed 22VAC-40-131-190-R.1-3 with the program director and program manager.

Comments:

A monitoring inspection was initiated on 10/25/21 and concluded on 11/01/21. The program manager was contacted by telephone to initiate the inspection. The program manager reported that the current census was 8 children in care and 9 approved provider homes. The inspector emailed the program manager a list of items required to complete the remote documentation review portion of the inspection. The inspector reviewed 2 children records, and 1 provider home record. Background checks for 2 additional provider homes and 2 staff were reviewed. The program manager, treatment foster care caseworker and program director were interviewed during the inspection. An exit interview was conducted with the program manager and treatment foster care caseworker on 10/27/21 at approximately 12:15 pm where findings were reviewed and an opportunity was given for questions, as well as for providing any information or documentation which was not available during the inspection. An additional interview was conducted with the program manager and program director on 11/01/21 at approximately 2:00 pm to discuss additional information and documentation provided, where findings were reviewed and an opportunity was given for questions. Information gathered during the inspection determined non-compliance with applicable standards or law, and violations were documented on the violation notice issued to the facility.

Violations:

Standard #:	22VAC40-131-190-R-1
Description:	Violation: Based on review of the record for provider home (PH) PH1, and interviews with the program director, program manager and treatment foster care case manager, the licensee failed to ensure firearms were stored in a locked closet or cabinet. Evidence: 1. Provider Home (PH) PH1 was approved by the licensee on 6/2/21. The home study documents, PH1 owns firearms. The home study documents, one firearm is locked in the nightstand beside the master bed. 2. During the exit interview with AR1 and AR2 on 10/27/21, PH1 was sent a text message by AR2 requesting information on how the firearm is stored in the night stand. AR2 informed the licensing inspector during the exit interview, that PH1 responded via text message that the firearm is stored in a locked nightstand. A picture of the nightstand was requested during the exit interview. 3. An email received on 11/1/21 from ARI provided pictures of the nightstand where the firearm was stored. The pictures show a nightstand with a pull drawer. A plastic child safety lock is used on the nightstand pull drawer where the firearm was stored. A child safety lock does not meet the requirement for a combination or a key maintained out of reach of children in 22VAC40-131-190-R-3. 4. A home study addendum for PH1 was completed on 10/27/21 by AR1. The addendum was received by email from AR1 on 10/28/21. The addendum documents, PH1 moved the firearm from the nightstand at the end of September due to safety concerns for children placed in the home. The email also included a picture of a safe where the firearm is now stored. 5. An additional email received from AR1 on 10/28/21 documents that PH1 moved the firearm stored in the nightstand due to FC1's increased aggression and fear that FC1 could possible break the lock. 6. At the time of the inspection, PH1 had two children placed in the home. The first child was placed on 6/3/2021 and the second child was placed on 7/29/21. 7. A second exit interview was conducted with AR1 and AR3 on 11/1/21 to discuss additional information provided. In response to questions of how the licensee ensures proper storage of weapons in provider homes, AR3 stated, the firearm should not have been stored in the nightstand.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.