VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Alliance Human Services, Inc.
341 Main Street
Suite 301
Danville, VA 24541
(434) 836-3550

Current Inspector: Dawn Espelage (540) 759-8852

Inspection Date: Sept. 1, 2020

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

22VAC40-131 ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION 22VAC40-131 PERSONNEL 22VAC40-131 PROVIDER HOMES 22VAC40-131 CHILDREN'S SERVICES 22VAC40-131 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SPECIFIC PROGRAMS 22VAC40-80 THE LICENSE. 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. A renewal inspection was initiated on September 1, 2020 and concluded on September 25, 2020. The Executive Director was contacted by telephone to initiate the inspection. The agency reported 51 approved homes and 47 foster children in placement. There are two (2) new staff since the last inspection. The inspector emailed the Executive Director a list of items required to complete the inspection. The inspector reviewed nine (9) provider home records (six full records and background checks for three additional homes), five (5) foster child records, five (5) personnel records, and records for three (3) board officers to ensure documentation was complete. An exit interview to discuss findings was held with the Executive Director and the Director of Compliance and Risk Management at the conclusion of the inspection. The Licensing Inspector has reviewed with the provider COVID-19 Essential Guidance for Child Care Programs. Information gathered during the inspection determined non-compliance(s) with applicable standards or law, and violations were documented on the violation notice. The licensee has five (5) calendar days from receipt of the inspection documentation to complete the section titled Plan of Correction, sign each page of the documentation and return it to the Licensing Office. The plan of correction should include the following: The steps to correct noncompliance with the standard(s); measures to prevent re-occurrence of noncompliance; person(s) responsible for implementation and monitoring of preventative measure(s); and date by which noncompliance will be corrected. The licensee should retain a copy to be posted at the facility. Results of the inspection documentation are subject to public disclosure and will be posted on the VDSS web site within 5 days, regardless of whether the Plan of Correction is completed.

Violations:

Standard #:	22VAC40-131-180-F
Description:	Violation: 1. Based on review of the home study dated 02/12/2020 for PH5, the agency failed to conduct a face-to-face interview with an individual residing in the applicant home. Evidence: 1. The record for PH5 stated that a household member (OHM1) resided in the home at the time of the home approval on 02/12/2020. 2. OHM1, an adult son, moved out of the home in July of 2020. 3. The home study for PH5 did not document a face-to-face visit with OHM1 prior to approval. 4. Upon interview, S1 stated the individual completing the home study for PH5 acknowledged failure to interview OHM1 prior to home approval.
Plan of Correction:	A training will be done to ensure that the Program Recruiters are aware of the requirement to interview all household members prior to the approval of the foster home. Executive Director will review all home studies and ensure that all household members are interviewed prior to the approval of the home study.
Standard #:	22VAC40-131-260-B
Description:	Violation: Based on a review of the record for foster children (FC1, FC2, FC4) and an interview with personnel (S1) the agency did not include required elements in the social history. Evidence: 1. The social history for FC1 dated 08/08/2020 did not address: 260.B.6 Child's educational history. 2. The social history for FC2 dated 08/08/2020 did not address 260.B.2 Reasons for the placment. 3. The social history for FC4 dated 04/17/2020 did not address 260.B.6 Child's educational history. 4. During the exit interview, S1 did not have any additional information to add regarding the missing components.
Plan of Correction:	A training will be conducted with all staff to review the requirement to include the educational history along with the attempts to obtain information on the history. The Child Placing Agency Supervisor and Executive Director will review all social histories to ensure that all requirements are met.
Standard #:	22VAC40-131-290-C-8
Description:	Violation: Based on a review of the medical examination report and "Medical/Dental/Therapy Appointment" form dated 07/21/2020 for a Foster Child (FC1) and interview with personnel (S1), the agency failed to ensure the medical examination included all required information. Evidence: 1. The medical examination report for FC1 contained the question, "Is the child free of communicable diseases?" following by boxes labelled "yes" and "no" and a space for the physician to include written comments. 2. The examining physician did not check either box on the form and responded to the question "Is the child free of communicable diseases?" by writing "not tested" on both the physical examination form and attached agency "Medical/Dental/Therapy Appointment" form. 4. FC1's record did not contain a separate TB assessment or test. 5. Upon interview with personnel, S1 did not have additional information to add to substantiate that this element was assessed.
Plan of Correction:	A training will be conducted with the Case Managers to ensure that the staff are aware of the requirement that all sections of the medical examinations are complete. The staff have also been informed that is physicians fail to complete the medical documentation that is required, the will not receive further referrals.
Standard #:	22VAC40-131-340-F-1
Description:	Violation: Based on the review of the record for Foster Children (FC1 and FC2 - siblings) and based on an interview with personnel (S1), the licensee failed to document the involvement of the birth parents in developing the individualized service plan. Evidence: 1. The record for FC1 did not contain documentation of the involvement of the birth parents in developing the individualized service plan dated 08/05/2020. The court service goal for FC1 is Return Home and the record indicates that FC1 has phone contact with her biological mother. 2. The record for FC2 did not contain documentation of the involvement of the birth parents in developing the individualized service plan dated 07/30/2020. The court service goal for FC1 is Return Home and the record indicates that FC1 has phone contact with her biological mother. 3. During the exit inteview, S1 did not have any additional information to add.
Plan of Correction:	The Executive Director will conduct a training with all staff to explain the requirement that both biological parents must be involved in the development of the individualized service plan unless parental rights are terminated.