NC legislative oversight committee questions whether DSS official really needs a judges order to let him address his employees handling of case involving child. County Director of Social Services August 1, 2022 / DSS Jobs NC. The allegations parents brought to CPP ranged widely: Social workers refused to screen in a case of extreme negligence involving meth-addicted parents despite repeated urging from a grandmother. Burke County DSS . Swanson is currently the Social Work Program Administrator for Buncombe County Health and Human Services where she provides . Don Warn, 53, who was the Buncombe County finance director since November 2018, recently left Buncombe County to go to Guilford County, where he started on Feb. 13, according to a. I predict that in short time, if you dont agree with the CCS system which marches in step with Their Federal heros diversity bullshit, that DDS will take you to court. CPP then mapped these comparison percentages, marking distinctly those at the extremes. While Blevins said the states juvenile code forbade him from providing specifics about the March incident, he had a lot to say about improving the states child welfare system. The position is appointed by and reports to a five-member Local Social Services Board. Learn More{{/message}}, {{#message}}{{{message}}}{{/message}}{{^message}}It appears your submission was successful. A county with an annual removal rate exactly the same as the statewide rate would have a 100% comparison rating, a county that removed children on average at twice the statewide rate would have a 200% comparison rating, and a county that removed children on average at half the statewide rate would have a 50% comparison rating. A lock icon or https:// means youve safely connected to the official website. Social Work Services We aim to prevent abuse, neglect and exploitation of vulnerable residents and promote self-reliance and self-sufficiency for individuals and families. Customer Service Center:1-800-662-7030 Your email address will not be published. Blevins will be subpoenaed to testify during an Oct. 13 committee hearing regarding a March 20 incident in which Black Mountain police officers asked Buncombe Countys DSS for help with a 9-year-old girl after arresting her father. A good many are probably false or contain half-truths. Asheville, NC 28801 Select a county on the map to view phone numbers, websites, physical addresses and mailing addresses. Are new people living there? . Sources report that the Cleveland County Commissioners have selected Katie Swanson from the Buncombe County DSS as the Director of the Cleveland County DSS. Shortly before DHHS discovered Cherokee County was using unlawful agreements to separate families, a report about a three-day visit to the department included dire concerns. Blevins confirmed he will show up to talk with legislators once he receives the subpoena. Then, using the child population of each county during the year in question, reporters calculated the percentage of children removed in a given year. Box 7408 State Courier #: 12-50-02 Phone: 828-250-5500 Fax Number: 828-250-6235 Emergency Phone: 828-250-5500 Website Key Staff Director: Stoney Blevins Administrative Assistant: Christa Lance , 828-250-5587 Police later claimed that they emailed information about the case to the Transylvania County Sheriffs Office. In 2020, police in Black Mountain pulled over a swerving car and arrested all three adults. Your email address will not be published. Their stories were often shocking and always emotional. Response times to child welfare reports vary depending on how much risk the child is in. At one point, Noyes believed that an employee of DSS had an inappropriate previous professional relationship with a judge who handled the case. Box 7408 Questions or comments? Noyes said at first she thought that if you worked through the system and presented your case honestly, the situation would work out, but she now has no confidence in DSS and the family courts, a view she said is shared by members of other families whom shes talked with during court appearances. Required fields are marked *. And some economically advantaged counties may also cluster with high or low removal rates. A grand jury first indicted the mother for neglect in 2015. But Reeves death was only part of the case. 90,126. Our award-winning, breakthrough journalism dismantles barriers and shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing our states 10.2 million residents. The police reported that an officer called Buncombe County DSS but thenhung up on the social worker. I told her I did not have time to do that, I had to find a safe place for the child. Confidentiality rules intended to protect children present challenges for investigating allegations of DSS misconduct. P. (828) 250-5500 Although Noyes had previously assisted in caring for her daughters children and remained willing to do so, DSS ultimately removed them instead and persuaded the court to place the children with their father. In September 2016, a CPP investigation learned that the boy had been adopted within weeks of his mothers death. Many of the counties with very low rates or rates in the middle also experience poverty. Pitt County, designated in 2020 as an All-American County by the National Civic League, is located in the central portion of the Coastal Plain. She told the police she wanted to go home. Asheville, NC 28802 Please contact the developer of this form processor to improve this message. Such situations include when the only parent of a child is being arrested and is thus not able to plan for another adult to care for the child. A tangible sign of those things are the yearly audit, which Scott said he hopes will show no findings. Part 1:Protection of NC children, families depends on the county, Part 3:Structure of NC child protective services leads to inequity, Part 4:NC could look to other states for potential child welfare reforms, Indicted former director resigns from DSS position, cant work for county again, Governor signs bipartisan child welfare overhaul bill, ByKate Martin,Frank TaylorandImari Scarbrough. The North Carolina General Assembly meets in the State Legislative Building in Raleigh, seen here in Feb. 2018. 40 Coxe Avenue She died during the winter, wearing only a T-shirt and her diaper. Social Worker Investigative/Assessment and Treatment. Categories. If county officials decide to go beyond the scope of state guidelines, or in some cases beyond what state and federal laws allow, those choices are being made by individuals, some of whom already face criminal prosecution. But Zahra was never removed from the family. Its regretful there were some communications mishaps, said Cherokee County DSS Director Amanda McGee in a later interview on WKRK, a radio station in Murphy. Burke County DSS . When news organizations contact local departments of social services offices with questions about a specific case, the agencies are typically unable to discuss them. I didnt realize there was a significant problem. But what to do with the 9-year-old girl? He is earning a salary of $102,755.32, according to a public records request. They visit the parents, then write down what they say. But Reeves death was only part of the case. But sometimes social workers fudge. The intake process can take a while, as it requires people who report abuse to answer many questions. Kate Martin is lead investigative reporter for Carolina Public Press. The DSS Director works with the Social Services Advisory Board and reports directly to the County Manager's Office acting on behalf of the Board of Commissioners. We are prohibited by statute to disclose the name of the reporter except when law enforcement is conducting a criminal investigation related to abuse, neglect or exploitation of the adult; or unless ordered by the court. Learn More{{/message}}. But it took years for one young child to disclose what happened to her in the home. Now, much of that trust has been regained, Scott said, and after the work put in over the last several years, the department now has what Scott calls "stable processes. As a result, the family said, the statute of limitations had expired, and no one could be charged two years later. Adoptions in North Carolina cannot be reversed. Raleigh, NC 27699-2000. They described social workers ignoring judges instructions on keeping families together, social workers who acted on personal dislike of their families and irreversible adoptions that did not follow policy or the law and inappropriately kept family members in the dark about what was happening. County Director of Social Services Work Type. The state and counties, which implement state and federal policies at a local level, need to commit to make the changes, he said. The legal direction is that information cant be shared before the House or Senate, Govus said. Tracy Jones, who was DSS director in Transylvania County in 2016 but not during the time of the foster care abuse allegation, told CPP that the agencys procedure during an adoption is always to notify the next of kin first. I ended the phone call.. When Reeves sister,Suzan Bayorgeon, contacted CPP in late 2015, her family was distraught not only over Reeves death but also because they did not know the whereabouts of heryoungest son,Addison. Blevins said to improve the child welfare system, North Carolina doesnt need major changes in the law, rather a unified commitment to implement the plans we already have.. Blevins was asked to testify before the General Assembly last year about how social workers handled a case, but his hands were tied by confidentiality rules. Some abuse is so heinous that workers are required to investigate immediately. A social worker ordered a family to banish the family dog, who had bitten no one. Over time, many families have contacted Carolina Public Press about child protective services concerns. Or a family who had contacted CPP initially might not be able to talk now because of a settlement that included a nondisclosure agreement. An official website of the State of North Carolina, Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse, Office Of Minority Health And Health Disparities, Services for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing. He said he is lucky that the county is already in such a strong financial position so that he can focus on proactive instead of reactive work. Its just disturbing. Report and History Lesson by Robert A. Williams . There appeared to be no attempt by the police or DSS to follow up with the Sheriffs Office. The officer wrote in his report, I told her I did not have time to do that, I had to find a safe place for the child. You may remain anonymous but we encourage you to give us your name in the event additional information is needed. Address: 40 Coxe Ave., Asheville, NC 28801, NC Department of Health and Human Services Catherine Noyes is a grandmother who expresses frustration over the Cabarrus County Department of Social Services and courts handling of her familys case. But others include the major Piedmont metro areas, which have some of the highest populations. This project was produced for the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalisms 2020 Data Fellowship. 0:57. No appointment is needed. The elected district attorney,Ashley Welch, told CPP then that she took an unusual step of filing a motion to compel DSS to provide documents after her office was repeatedly denied an opportunity to view the records. "There are a lot of people in this organization that work directly with the public and with the community, and they are doing great work, and I feel very privileged to be in a role that supports those other people.". The district attorneys office decided that the evidence justified charges of misdemeanor child abuse, but not a felony. Why didnt DSS show up on the scene? Wrongful Termination and Breach of Contract!!! A spokesperson for the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services told CPP at the time that the foster mother would no longer be able to foster children in North Carolina. Each member of a public agency or department must submit contact information for the Buncombe County personnel directory. Do you have concerns about a disabled adult who is either living in the community or in a licensed facility? The parents used intravenous drugs in the presence of their children and failed to provide adequate nutrition and hygiene, the indictments said. Your support means a lot! I ended the phone call.. I truly hope in this process that this confidentiality requirement isnt being used to hide the mistakes, Hise said. At one point, Noyes believed that an employee of DSS had an inappropriate previous professional relationship with a judge who handled the case. During visitation with the family in 2014, they noticed marks on him, which led to a Department of Social Services investigation. If you want to help us spread the word about signs of abuse, self-neglect or exploitation of elder adults or adults with disabilities, please consider hanging this poster somewhere in your community. Once a referral is taken for Protective Services, a Social Worker will be assigned the case. Legislators grill Buncombe DSS director, who disputes Black Mountain cops, intake procedures differ widely among counties, Legislators subpoena Buncombe official over DSS handling of childs case, Stories recount concerns with DSS agencies across North Carolina, Change in NC rent aid programs could force counties to pull from their own budgets, Mining in your backyard: The story of Mountain Mist Mine and the neighbors contesting it, part two, Mining in your backyard: The story of Mountain Mist Mine and the neighbors contesting it, part one, Teen girls engulfed in a growing wave of sadness, violence and trauma, latest youth survey shows, Looming cuts to emergency SNAP benefits threaten food security in rural America, Taking a moonshot at early colorectal cancer detection in northeastern NC, Your support funds important public interest journalism, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. Our award-winning, breakthrough journalism dismantles barriers and shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing our states 10.2 million residents. Social Work Services Monday - Friday But the foster care residence was in unincorporated Transylvania County, not the city of Brevard. State Courier #: 12-50-02 Polk County Department of Social Services. The largest concentration of counties that are removing children at high or very high rates are in the western mountain counties, though a smaller cluster also exists in the southeastern counties, and a few other exceptions are scattered across the map. Blevins had said the subpoena was unnecessary. Mason Scott, 34, was hand-picked by Warn as his temporary successor. Once social workers take in a child, every interaction is supposed to be closely monitored. A week later, the mother of two was found dead in a New Jersey motel room. A CPP investigation nearly two years later found that the family had notified the Brevard Police Department. Is everyone healthy and is there enough food? New Jersey officials ruled the case a suicide, but a Carolina Public Press investigation identifiedproblems with this explanationthat have never been resolved. Prosecutors filed additional charges, including incest, aiding and abetting incest, child prostitution and other felony sex offenses involving multiple close relatives. At one point, the report says, she advised officers to leave the girl in the custody of Stanley.. August 19, 2022 Posted August 1, 2022. A laterindependent investigationinto Moore Countys Department of Social Services revealed that overworked caseworkers did not visit the mother as they were supposed to, and the department did not properly supervise its caseworkers to ensure they followed state law and policy, according to the Fayetteville Observer. Fax Number: 828-250-6341 A later independent investigation into Moore Countys Department of Social Services revealed that overworked caseworkers did not visit the mother as they were supposed to, and the department did not properly supervise its caseworkers to ensure they followed state law and policy, according to the Fayetteville Observer. A legislative study has shown that intake procedures differ widely among counties throughout North Carolina. This interpretation of the rules can make it difficult for other branches of state government to hold DSS agencies accountable for possible mistakes, much less the news media, which has no access to subpoena powers. If you like what you are reading and believe in independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan journalism like oursjournalism the way it should beplease contributeto keep us going. Rutherford County DSS Work County Rutherford Job Contact Luann Butler PO Box 242 389 Fairground Road Spindale, NC 28160 Office - 828-287-6283 FAX - 828-288-3406 Email: luann.butler@rutherfordcountync.gov Job Location 389 Fairground Road Spindale North Carolina 28160 Job Description Position Responsibilities: Stoney Blevins, director of the Buncombe County Department of Social Services, testified before a state legislative committee last week, saying he couldn't tell legislators much about a specific child welfare case due to confidentiality laws. The Magazine Basic Theme by bavotasan.com. The assessment includes evaluating six areas: During the course of the evaluation the Social Worker will talk with the adult, collaterals, and use whatever resources necessary to determine whether the adult is in need of protection. This project was produced for the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalisms 2020 Data Fellowship. Does the child feel safe? Our award-winning, breakthrough journalism dismantles barriers and shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing our states 10.2 million residents. Her trailer had no heat, according to statements to law enforcement. Director. Social workers removed children seized over a mark from a supposed beating, even though there was no evidence of the mark. I thought we were waiting for them to copy the records.. Blevins was asked to testify before the General Assembly last year about how social workers handled a case, but his hands were tied by confidentiality rules. Low counties are clustered in the rural northeastern counties, which typically have very low populations. The General Assembly called Buncombe County Health and Human Services DirectorStoney Blevinsto testify about the incident. Address: 231 Wolverine Trail, Mill Spring, NC 28756 State Courier #: 06-74-02 Phone: 828-894-2100 Fax Number: 828-894-6326 Emergency Phone: 828-894-0187 Website. Each countys average annual removal rate, compared with the states annual removal rate, was calculated as a percentage of the states rate. With the support of readers like you, we provide thoughtfully researched articles for a more informed and connected community. The North Carolina General Assembly meets in the State Legislative Building in Raleigh, seen here in Feb. 2018. Why didnt DSS show up on the scene? It was unclear whether photos documenting bruises were taken immediately or later, but they showed far less bruising than the family remembered seeing. Fax Number: 828-250-6235 Much to lawmakers chagrin, Blevins could not confirm or deny anything in the police report due to strict laws protecting the privacy of the girl and her family. Subpoenas to testify before the state legislature are rare. A judge granted the request. But the map also shows that the high and very high counties mostly cluster geographically, as do the low and very low counties. As a retired CPS SWS, calls from APD and BCSO, were immediately responded to as a professional courtesy. Carolina Public Press provides in-depth, investigative reporting on issues affecting Western North Carolina in a nonprofit, nonpartisan setting. She died during the winter, wearing only a T-shirt and her diaper. Carolina Public Press contributing reporter Christian Green also assisted with interviews for this article. A decade ago in Swain County, 15-month-oldAubrey Kina-Marie Littlejohndied while under supervision by county DSS. He told officers that he had met the girl for the first time that day and volunteered to watch her. If the purpose of the record request is to protect a juvenile, then no court order would be needed, DePasquale told CPP. Meanwhile, Addisons birth family had no idea what had happened to him after removal from foster care. Men Against the Women!! She was concerned the children could be injured if he attacked her. Strong confidentiality rules surround child protective services cases under both state and federal law, for the purpose of protecting the identity of the children. They are still considered the public in regard to this.. In the upcoming election we can kick out this majority fool board. Don Warn, 53, who was the Buncombe County finance director since November 2018, recently left Buncombe County to go to Guilford County, where he started on Feb. 13, according to a Guilford County news release. 40 Coxe Avenue Cumberland DSS has a fiduciary budget of $715 million, an operating budget of over $65 million, and nearly 716 employees, who work in seven sections. Family members had warned social workers multiple times she was in danger and had received no response from DSS, according to the Smoky Mountain News. All Rights Reserved. State Government websites value user privacy. But the map also shows that the high and very high counties mostly cluster geographically, as do the low and very low counties. Stacie Saunders, Buncombe County's public health director, who is leaving her position at the end of the year for a state government role. Taking a child from a parent is considered a last resort and is usually done to prevent imminent harm or maltreatment of a child. Upcoming articles in this series will examine the systemic problems that create challenges for child protective services in North Carolina and potential solutions. Even without names or narratives, the overall data from the last decade points to locations in the state where removals of children have occurred far above or far below the statewide average. Or a family who had contacted CPP initially might not be able to talk now because of a settlement that included a nondisclosure agreement. Food Assistance Medicaid Information Clinical Services Children Services Environmental Health Social Work Services News & Information National Black/African American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Addison was placed in foster care in Transylvania County. If you have an update to county agency information, please email dssweb@dhhs.nc.gov. Must be able to type a minimum of 40 words per minute. Angry and desperate parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles have contacted Carolina Public Press for years hoping to share their stories and possibly get help in investigating what went wrong with their families experiences with child protective services in North Carolina counties. Frank Taylor / Carolina Public Press. Think about this, This is Our Place Cleveland County ! Police had pulled over a driver who was swerving over the white line. Starting in June, Blevins directed Buncombe County social workers to respond to the scene of all law enforcement requests and shared the protocol with county law enforcement agencies. Reeves family said she had lived in fear for her life because of attacks from her ex-husband Titus Boley, who had served a prison sentence for assaulting her. And Im willing to have that conversation if this body is willing to take that action.. This is your chance to support credible, community-based, public-service journalism. The report says a social worker told police that DSS did not respond to these situations., Officers explained that the parent wanted to leave the girl with Stanley. The report says the DSS worker demanded multiple times to take a report over the phone. And I think you could understand how we would see that it could have the department or its failures.. "I'm still kind of young in my career. Records from Reeves communications during the final weeks of her life show that she was repeatedly at odds with DSS agents over her son, though what she knew about his location was not clear. Reporting like this isnt free to produce and we cannot do this alone. Cherokee County DSS never responded to CPPs questions about the records fracas but provided the records to the DAs office after CPP published a story about the issue. "The county has a strong team in the Finance Department and we appreciate Mason serving as our interim as the Commissioners undergo a search process to hire a new permanent Finance Director for Buncombe County," Board of Commissioners Chair Brownie Newman said. Buncombe County DSS Mr. Stoney Blevins, Director 828-250-5588. Shooter is not expected to last very long. They may think the system has wronged their families. Henderson County resident Felicia Reeves disappeared in August 2015. Families from many parts of North Carolina who contacted CPP made repeated claims of social workers and social services lawyers insulting families for being poor, uneducated, Black, Cherokee, Lumbee, from out of state, the wrong religion or simply for not being knowledgeable about the policies of that jurisdiction. Noyes said she continues to work with her daughter to regain custody of the children but has become disappointed by the process. Within the room they found methamphetamine, other drugs and 200-300 used hypodermic needles, they said. "Another thing I hope to maintain is a high level of quality, even though we do look at a high volume of activity each year.". Much like 911 operators, DSS workers ask specific questions when taking information on a new case, called intake, he explained. Please help support this type of journalism with asubscriptionto the Citizen Times. Key Staff Polk County Health and Human Services Director: Joshua Kennedy. A county with an annual removal rate exactly the same as the statewide rate would have a 100% comparison rating, a county that removed children on average at twice the statewide rate would have a 200% comparison rating, and a county that removed children on average at half the statewide rate would have a 50% comparison rating.
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