VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Highlands Community Services
383 Baugh Lane
Abingdon, VA 24210
(276) 525-1550 (4361)

Current Inspector: Jamie Morgan (276) 525-5656

Inspection Date: May 25, 2023

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

22VAC40-131 ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION 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:

22VAC40-131-110 Discussion regarding received dates. 22VAC40-131-370.R.2 Discussion of uploading/filing documentation in the official record within 30 days of receipt/completion. 22VAC40-131-260.B.8 and 9 Discussion regarding documentation required for extended family members in the social history.

Comments:

Type of inspection: Monitoring An unannounced, mandated monitoring inspection was conducted on 5/25/2023 from 12:25 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. The Acknowledgement of Inspection form was signed and left at the facility for each date of the inspection. Number of children in care: 5 Number of approved provider homes: 4 The licensing inspector completed a tour of the physical plant that included the office setting and conditions. Number of children?s records reviewed: 1 Number of provider homes reviewed: 1 Number of staff records reviewed: 0 Number of interviews conducted with staff: 2 An exit meeting was conducted to review the inspection findings on 6/8/23. The evidence gathered during the inspection determined non-compliance with applicable standard(s) or law, and violation(s) were documented on the violation notice issued to the facility. 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 #:	22VAC40-131-290-K
Description:	Violation: Based on record review, the agency failed to obtain tuberculosis screenings or tests on all household members (HM) of Provider Home 1 (PH1). Findings: 1) The file did not contain documentation of a tuberculosis screening or test on HM 1. 2) The file did not contain documentation of a tuberculosis screening or test on HM 2. 3) The file did not contain documentation of a tuberculosis screening or test on HM 3. 4) Staff 2 (S2) and S4 were interviewed during the inspection and stated the screenings were not completed. 4) The findings were discussed during the preliminary findings review and staff acknowledged the finding.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	22VAC40-191-40-D-6
Description:	Violation: Based on record review, the agency failed to obtain background checks within the specified time frame of no more than 90 days prior to the provider home approval. Findings: 1) Provider Home 1 (PH1), approved 2/1/23, contained central registry results of applicant 1 (A1) and applicant 2 (A2) dated 9/1/22. 2) The PH1 record did not contain documentation of more recent central registry searches. 3) The file contained a national criminal background check of applicant 2 (A2) dated 10/24/22. 4) S2 and S4 were provided the opportunity to locate an updated criminal history for A2. Although additional background checks had been run, they were not through the agency required by standards. 5) The findings were discussed during the preliminary findings review and staff acknowledged the finding.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.