Each of North Carolina's 100 counties has a local social services agency. He was making a salary of $161,785.44, according to a public records request. CCDSS Interim Director Jane Shooter expected to be gone soon!! Thank you for serving our children. DHHS Childrens Program representative Brian Vogl stated concerns for falsifying the foster care monthly contact records these are identical, and they are falsifying these records, the memo stated. Graham County DSS Ms. Amy Seay, Director 196 Knight Street Post Office Box 1150 Robbinsville, NC 28771 Tel. These are system answers to human problems.. Not long afterward, he died of an overdose. Closing Date. Stories Recount Concerns With DSS Agencies Across North Carolina In nearly 1-in-4 of North Carolinas 100 counties, child welfare workers consider outside guidance in addition to statewide policy for child welfare cases, the report said. Strong confidentiality rules surround child protective services cases under both state and federal law, for the purpose of protecting the identity of the children. From these annual rates in each county and the state as a whole, CPP calculated an average yearly rate over the 10-year period, then compared each county to the state. Meanwhile, Addisons birth family had no idea what had happened to him after removal from foster care. A parents attorney could get a hold of these records and make an argument to have the kids returned home.. 0:57. Copyright 2023 Citizens For Good Government. If you cant answer because you dont know or you can answer because you refuse to under some other authority, Edwards said. Buncombe County's DSS office allocated $400,000 for extra clerical staff when it thought it would be required to use NC Fast's child welfare modules, but its current system has more features that child welfare workers need than NC Fast does, said Stoney Blevins, director of health and human services in Buncombe County. Carolina Public Press has confirmed that there was a subpoena. And yet, I do not see proof that weve implemented the plans that have been made.. But it took years for one young child to disclose what happened to her in the home. Buncombe - DSS Jobs NC His grandmother and aunt told CPP that they would have taken him so that he could grow up alongside his brother, but no one from DSS contacted them. Swanson is currently the Social Work Program Administrator for Buncombe County Health and Human Services where she provides . I thought I had faith in it, but I dont anymore.. 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. Apply to Engagement Director, Director of Admissions, Human Resources Specialist and more! The Cleveland County Department of Social Services has a new director. As a result, the family said, the statute of limitations had expired, and no one could be charged two years later. They may think the system has wronged their families. 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. Blevins confirmed he will show up to talk with legislators once he receives the subpoena. Noyes said she continues to work with her daughter to regain custody of the children but has become disappointed by the process. 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. Wrongful Termination and Breach of Contract!!! Noyes questions, among other things, why the children were placed with him rather than her and why his substance abuse issues were not adequately investigated by DSS. Stay up to date with the most current information. Veritas HHS The district attorneys office decided that the evidence justified charges of misdemeanor child abuse, but not a felony. Customer Service Center: 1-800-662-7030 Visit RelayNC for information about TTY services. They may think the system has wronged their families. They are still considered the public in regard to this.. 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. 39. Some of them are likely true. Your email address will not be published. Addison was placed in foster care in Transylvania County. In a case of suspected abuse in a foster care setting, DSS is obligated to notify law enforcement. Catherine Noyesis a grandmother who expresses frustration over the Cabarrus County Department of Social Services and courts handling of her familys case. A judge granted the request. Frank Taylor is the managing editor of Carolina Public Press. 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. Provides receptionist duties at times to Central Clerical. Stanley said officers could search the room. 90,126. I truly hope in this process that this confidentiality requirement isnt being used to hide the mistakes, Hise said. 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. The legal and bureaucratic system surrounding child removals can be difficult to navigate, so that even social workers from one county may find aspects of how things are done in another county quite alien, and the average person is unable to make sense of whats happening. They visit the parents, then write down what they say. Learn More{{/message}}. NC legislative oversight committee questions whether DSS official really needs a judges order to let him address his employees handling of case involving child. Food Assistance Medicaid Information Clinical Services Children Services Environmental Health Social Work Services News & Information National Black/African American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Buncombe County will be making surface concrete repairs to the lower loading area. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The Pitt County Department of Social Services (DSS) is seeking a mission-driven leader to be their next Social Services Director. Policy choices are made by individuals, though geographical isolation and limited resources may promote decisions in some areas of the state more than others. If you have an update to county agency information, please email dssweb@dhhs.nc.gov. One was located in a glove inside a door pocket, a police report says. Didnt they care this girl was going to be left with someone she did not know? But sometimes social workers fudge. 40 Coxe Avenue. 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. Stories recount concerns with DSS agencies across North Carolina In 2020, police in Black Mountain pulled over a swerving car and arrested all three adults. I had this conversation with (Sen. Chuck Edwards) the very first day we spoke in April, Blevins said. "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. Graham County DSS Ms. Amy Seay, Director 196 Knight Street Post Office Box 1150 Robbinsville, NC 28771 Tel. 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. Blevins was subpoenaed to appear before the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee of Health and Human Services last week a tool legislators rarely use to compel uncooperative witnesses. CPP is not naming the adults because naming them could identify the young children. Public Employee Directories list that contact information, such as names, phone numbers, and . Kate Martin is lead investigative reporter for Carolina Public Press. But it took years for one young child to disclose what happened to her in the home. Subpoenas to testify before the state legislature are rare. County Director of Social Services - DSS Jobs NC Frank Taylor / Carolina Public Press. 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. Key Staff Polk County Health and Human Services Director: Joshua Kennedy. Sen. Jim Perry pushed back at the notion of blanket confidentiality. Reporting like this isnt free to produce and we cannot do this alone. Officers discovered hundreds of used needles along with drugs in the room. Adults Protective Services: DSS - Buncombe County | Asheville Aging & Adult Services Child & Family Services Foster Parent Resources Adult Protective Services In Buncombe County you can make a Protective Service referral or report by calling (828) 250-5800 anytime, day or night. Buncombe County DSS Mr. Stoney Blevins, Director 828-250-5588. 0 miles away . LE afforded BCDSS the same courtesy. Thank you! Did you like this story? Required fields are marked *. Blevins challenged the accuracy of a Black Mountain Police Departments report that had led to the request for him to appear before legislators. The server responded with {{status_text}} (code {{status_code}}). If the purpose of the record request is to protect a juvenile, then no court order would be needed, DePasquale told CPP. Carolina Public Press provides in-depth, investigative reporting on issues affecting Western North Carolina in a nonprofit, nonpartisan setting. The DSS worker called back and asked him to help complete the intake report. No subpoena is necessary.. Social workers removed him from the foster care setting, but the family remained unclear about what happened to him next, they told CPP. Because of his time at various departments within the county, the news release said the county is confident his institutional knowledge will help him in his primarily inward-facing role. NC Department of Health and Human Services 2001 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-2000. Didnt they care this girl was going to be left with someone she did not know? Sampson County DSS has a budget of $12.8M and 150 employees serving across 3 divisions of programs: Adult, Child, and Family Services, Child Support, and Economic Programs and Services. Social Work Services: DSS - Buncombe County | Asheville You guys are highly under-appreciated!! The sad part is Jane Shooter, Pam Bright Prichard, Karen Ellis Prichard and others should have been fired 25 years ago. State Courier #: 12-50-02 Local DSS Directory | NCDHHS Buncombe DSS director won't comply with subpoena about 9-year - WLOS Phone: 828-250-5500 Theyve ripped (the grandchildrens) family apart, Noyes said. This sometimes required my response if SWs were handling other cases. Edwards said he has been unable to get straight answers out of Blevins even after a conversation. Carolina Public Press is an independent nonprofit news organization dedicated to nonpartisan, in-depth and investigative news built upon the facts and context North Carolinians need to know. When he arrived at the hearing, Blevins was told that there, in fact, was not a subpoena a fact that was disputed among different members of the committee throughout the hearing lasting more than two hours. Must be able to type a minimum of 40 words per minute. Categories. Raleigh, NC 27699-2000. The School Board works for me. Its just disturbing. Asheville, NC 28801 The experience is typically traumatic and humiliating. 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. The programs are housed in three separate locations. Reliable sources also report that CCDSS Interim Director Jane Shooter is mad as a hornet that she was NOT promoted to the CCDSS Director position. P. (828) 250-5500 The police reported that an officer called Buncombe County DSS but then hung up on the social worker. I think it is critical for this committee to thoroughly understand why anyone thought it would be OK to leave a 9-year-old girl in a hotel room with a stranger that contained needles and drugs, Edwards said. I can understand why a lot of people give up and stop fighting because, one, youre fighting a hard system, and two, you cant afford it, she said. Choose a focus area. Social workers are supposed to try to make these contacts regularly. Jim Perry is so clueless: the purpose of an oversight committee is to provide oversight and rude. Secure websites use HTTPS certificates. Stay up to date with the most current information. Our staff is committed to providing Buncombe's diverse population with effective services in a timely and respectful manner. Select acountyon the mapto view phone numbers, websites, physical addressesand mailing addresses. Customer Service Center:1-800-662-7030 Report and copy of Lawsuit provided by Robert A. Williams, Cleveland County Republicans in Civil War!! But Reeves death was only part of the case. Does the child feel safe? It was unclear whether photos documenting bruises were taken immediately or later, but they showed far less bruising than the family remembered seeing. 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. Mason Scott, 34, was hand-picked by Warn as his temporary successor. Granville County DSS Email her at kmartin@carolinapublicpress.org. With the support of readers like you, we provide thoughtfully researched articles for a more informed and connected community. Polk County Department of Social Services | NCDHHS 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. Or a family who had contacted CPP initially might not be able to talk now because of a settlement that included a nondisclosure agreement. There appeared to be no attempt by the police or DSS to follow up with the Sheriffs Office. Response times to child welfare reports vary depending on how much risk the child is in. Buncombe County Health and Human Services Director Stoney Blevins sits at his desk in Asheville. 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 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. County Social Services Director - DSS Jobs NC Then, using the child population of each county during the year in question, reporters calculated the percentage of children removed in a given year. Agency Name. Social Worker Buncombe Family and Children's Services Those removing children at two-thirds the state rate are considered low, and those removing at less than half the state rate are considered very low. Lets start meeting and talking and get ready to kick these rats out. A simple takeaway from the map is that the state has many counties at either end of the spectrum, far removed from the statewide average. 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. ), socially joined at the hip, high headed in their own mind educrats. The North Carolina General Assembly meets in the State Legislative Building in Raleigh, seen here in Feb. 2018. Once social workers take in a child, every interaction is supposed to be closely monitored. 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 officer hung up, and the DSS worker called back and asked him to complete the report. DHHS Childrens Program representativeBrian Voglstated concerns for falsifying the foster care monthly contact records these are identical, and they are falsifying these records, the memo stated. Blevins evaded, citing confidentiality rules. This report has not been officially confirmed, but my sources are reliable. Director of Buncombe County Health and Human Services Talmadge "Stoney" Blevins provided few answers to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services about why officers with the Black Mountain Police Department were reportedly told to leave a 9-year-old girl in a hotel room with a stranger, meth, and more than 100 . Your email address will not be published. Carolina Public Press provides in-depth, investigative reporting on issues affecting Western North Carolina in a nonprofit, nonpartisan setting. Sources report that the Cleveland County Commissioners have selected Katie Swanson from the Buncombe County DSS as the Director of the Cleveland County DSS. Government, Non-Profit and Other Non-Profit Organizations Individual and Family Social Services Social Service and Welfare . A good many are probably false or contain half-truths. 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. Are new people living there? So, they did. In 2016, Rylan Ott, nearly 2 years old, wandered from his Carthage home and drowned in a pond. ASHEVILLE - Buncombe County's Public Health. From CPP: Legislators subpoena Buncombe official over DSS handling of She died in 2010, and her stepmother was eventually charged in her murder. Bakers stepmother was already the subject of previous abuse findings. Many of the counties with very low rates or rates in the middle also experience poverty. Buncombe County Fire Marshall . He helped implement Workday, the county's primary financial accounting system, in 2017, then formally joined the Finance Department in 2019 as a financial planning and analysis manager. For several months DSS did not produce confidential child welfare records for a criminal case after the DAs office sought them. Polk County Department of Social Services. The Social Worker will ask numerous questions of you such as but not limited to adult's name, address, age/date of birth, Social Security number, family/collateral names, how is the person disabled, what are the allegations of abuse, neglect or exploitation. Blevins strongly disagreed with this last claim. A tangible sign of those things are the yearly audit, which Scott said he hopes will show no findings. Upcoming articles in this series will examine the systemic problems that create challenges for child protective services in North Carolina and potential solutions. 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. This project was produced for the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalisms 2020 Data Fellowship. Maybe many others!! Contact him at ftaylor@carolinapublicpress.org. 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 server responded with {{status_text}} (code {{status_code}}). In 2016,Rylan Ott, nearly 2 years old, wandered from his Carthage home and drowned in a pond. Emergency Phone: 828-250-5500Website, Administrative Assistant: Christa Lance,828-250-5587, Business Officer/ Fiscal/Performance Manager: Lisa White,828-250-5802, Operation Manager: Leigh Anderson,828-250-5575, Economic Services Division Director: Phillip Hardin,828-250-5592, Social Work Services Division Director/Foster Care & Adoptions Program Administrator: Rebecca Smith,828-250-5764, Permanency Planning: Amber Cook, 828-250-5824, CPS Intake/Investigations: Sherrie Thomas, 828-250-5843 ; Trina Hill, 828-250-5249, Licensing & Adoptions: Lizzi Shimer, 828-250-5277, Adult Services: Jennifer Teague, 828-250-5198, Quality Assurance, Program Administrator: Kelli Buckner,828-250-5987, Quality Assurance, Social Work Performance Standards: Alison Mann,828-250-5788, Family & Adult Medicaid Program Administrator: Ian Allen,828-250-5628, FNS/Program Integrity/Community Resources: Patricia Wallin,828-250-5689, FNS/Technical Support/Training: Denise Lancaster,828-250-5639, Child Support Enforcement: Some abuse is so heinous that workers are required to investigate immediately. But the foster care residence was in unincorporated Transylvania County, not the city of Brevard. As an agency that works with parents experiencing substance use disorder and children exposed to multiple dangers every day, our agency would never give that guidance.. Work County. I do not believe it is a blanket black box that prevents you from having any discussion about anything related to your department, Perry said. New Jersey officials ruled the case a suicide, but a Carolina Public Press investigation identified problems with this explanation that have never been resolved. Buncombe County has an average of 1,600 employees who serve as sheriff deputies, nurses, social workers, librarians, emergency medical workers, park rangers, environmental health specialists, planners, tax assessors, administrators and more - all working to serve the residents of Buncombe County. Would love your thoughts, please comment. A state legislative committee has voted to subpoena Buncombe County's Health and Human Services director to get answers as to why a social worker thought it was appropriate to leave a 9-year-old . I didnt realize there was a significant problem. It is important to screen cases correctly, or agencies risk violating parents constitutional rights to raise their children.
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