Your email address will not be published. Thank you! If you cant answer because you dont know or you can answer because you refuse to under some other authority, Edwards said. As a result, the family said, the statute of limitations had expired, and no one could be charged two years later. The server responded with {{status_text}} (code {{status_code}}). Edwards said he has been unable to get straight answers out of Blevins even after a conversation. A grand jury first indicted the mother for neglect in 2015. 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. By the officers account, the father told them to take her to a needle-infested hotel room and leave her with a man she did not know. 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. But it took years for one young child to disclose what happened to her in the home. Many of the counties with very high removal rates have elevated poverty rates, but no direct correlation exists between poverty levels and child removal rates. The DSS worker said we could leave the child in the room, but she hopes we would not do that, the report says. Starting Monday, Feb. 27, a maintenance project taking place at the Buncombe County Transfer Station may cause some extended wait times. 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. 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 tall man aboriginal spirit; metadata api request failed: component conversion failed: file_ended; caleb foote sandlot Years before she died, she worked with departments of social services in multiple counties to arrange for Reeves mother to care for the older son. Our staff is committed to providing Buncombe's diverse population with effective services in a timely and respectful manner. I ended the phone call.. Its regretful there were some communications mishaps, said Cherokee County DSS DirectorAmanda McGeeina later interview on WKRK, a radio station in Murphy. CPP is not naming the adults because naming them could identify the young children. At other times, however, DSS agencies have cited confidentiality rules as reasons for not responding to questions about their general procedures and policies that require no identifying information about individual children and families. Police called Buncombe DSS, and a county DSS worker told a police officer to leave the girl in the custody of a man she did not know in a hotel room filled with used drug needles, according to the police report. Officers located needles on the beds, the nightstands, TV stand and the bathroom. After children return to the home, social workers stay in touch to make sure they are safe. But this left the question for the officers of how to help the girl, they 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. Fax Number: 828-250-6235 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. 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. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. They visit the parents, then write down what they say. Apply to Engagement Director, Director of Admissions, Human Resources Specialist and more! A horrific child sex abuse case in Cherokee County two years ago included apuzzling delayby DSS officials in cooperating with prosecutors. Each countys average annual removal rate, compared with the states annual removal rate, was calculated as a percentage of the states rate. Carolina Public Press contributing reporter Christian Green also assisted with interviews for this article. He was appointed by the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners to take over the role that has oversight over all county spending, after working for Buncombe County for 11 years across many different departments. Food Network's 'Spring Baking Championship' to feature WNC pastry chef, After first clean audit in 4 years, Buncombe County again has 'significant deficiency', Buncombe County Commissioners discuss affordable housing, cryptocurrency, finances, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Police later claimed that they emailed information about the case to the Transylvania County Sheriffs Office. Will Asheville City Soccer Club still play there? 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. Buncombe County is basically my entire professional career at this point," Scott said. 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. The Purpose of Buncombe County Health and Human Services is to strengthen our communities by advancing health, safety, and opportunity. Does the child feel safe? Directors and Program Managers. During visitation with the family in 2014, they noticed marks on him, which led to a Department of Social Services investigation. A legislative study has shown that intake procedures differ widely among counties throughout North Carolina. 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. Email her at kmartin@carolinapublicpress.org. A state legislative committee has voted to subpoena Buncombe Countys Health and Human Services director to get answers as to why a social worker thought it was appropriate to leave a 9-year-old girl in the company of a man she didnt know in a hotel room filled with drugs and hundreds of used hypodermic needles. Most of the allegations CPP has received from families are nearly impossible to substantiate. Throughout last weeks hearing, Blevins explained the delicate balance of preserving parental rights while ensuring children are cared for. County Director of Social Services August 1, 2022 / DSS Jobs NC. The Cleveland County Department of Social Services has a new director. But even in some of these cases, legal counsel may ultimately advise them not to discuss the situation further. The Magazine Basic Theme by bavotasan.com. Years before she died, she worked with departments of social services in multiple counties to arrange for Reeves mother to care for the older son. State law also allows DSS offices to disclose records to prosecutors without court orders, saidSara DePasquale, an associate professor specializing in child welfare law at the UNC School of Government, two years ago. DSS seized children during a drug raid that found no evidence and was conducted at the wrong house on warrants intended for a search elsewhere. He was making a salary of $161,785.44, according to a public records request. The area is home to East Carolina University, Brody School of Medicine and Vidant Medical Center. The fact that they have lasted so long-to retirement age-is a tragedy and sheds a very bad light on all of Cleveland Countys so-called leadership. Men Against the Women!! State Courier #: 12-50-02 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. Wrongful Termination and Breach of Contract!!! 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. 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. They have anywhere from immediately to 72 hours to respond to the case, depending on the seriousness of the situation. At the core of what Scott will be working on within the department is the philosophy of "maintain, not correct," he said. Zahra Bakerwas a native of Australia who lived in Catawba County with her father and stepmother. Catherine Noyesis a grandmother who expresses frustration over the Cabarrus County Department of Social Services and courts handling of her familys case. Frank Taylor / Carolina Public Press. Please contact the developer of this form processor to improve this message. Blevins evaded, citing confidentiality rules. But the foster care residence was in unincorporated Transylvania County, not the city of Brevard. 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. We can fix OUR Schools. Some of them are likely true. There were needles under the seats and in the door pockets of the car. The City of Greenville is the county seat. A timeline of the Buncombe County corruption investigation, Wanda Greene dark money lawsuit mediator orders her to hand over answers before Christmas, former County Manager Wanda Greene was indicted on embezzlement charges and went to federal prison. One relative was convicted last year and is serving a 12-year prison sentence, another is serving a suspended sentence of five years, and a third is serving a two-year prison sentence. While Blevins was able to speak to the accuracy, or lack thereof, in a Black Mountain police report regarding the case, he skirted the details known to him and his social workers because state law requires a judges ruling to give specifics of a confidential case, he told lawmakers. Because of that, we placed one of our staff at the hospital. I thought we were waiting for them to copy the records.. Email her at kmartin@carolinapublicpress.org. But even in some of these cases, legal counsel may ultimately advise them not to discuss the situation further. You may also make the report in writing. 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. 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 her youngest son, Addison. 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. Agency Name. Kate Martin is lead investigative reporter for Carolina Public Press. In the bathroom there was a plastic container nearly full of used needles, the police report says. 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. I can promise you, I would be better served to speak to you about the things youre asking me, Blevins said. What's new with Memorial Stadium? 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. BUNCOMBE COUNTY - IM CASEWORKER II VARIOUS PROGRAMS - OPEN UNTIL FILLED DURHAM COUNTY - ASST. 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. Carolina Public Press has confirmed that there was a subpoena. Bakers stepmother was already the subject of previous abuse findings. Buncombe County spokeswoman Lillian Govus said unless the subpoena is from a judge, Blevins couldnt testify about the particulars even if the meeting is behind closed doors. Sources report that the Cleveland County Commissioners have selected Katie Swanson from the Buncombe County DSS as the Director of the Cleveland County DSS. 90,126. Thats all Im going to say, best leave before I get upset. The DSS worker called back and asked him to help complete the intake report. 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. Counties removing children at more than 150% of the state average rate were marked high, while those removing children at 200% or more are marked very high. Granville County DSS Address: 40 Coxe Ave., Asheville, NC 28801, NC Department of Health and Human Services 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. Buncombe County Health Department . But others include the major Piedmont metro areas, which have some of the highest populations. {{#message}}{{{message}}}{{/message}}{{^message}}Your submission failed. Katie Swanson was hired by the county at the end of May to take over from Karen Pritchard, who retired as DSS director at the end of 2018. Would love your thoughts, please comment. Kellie Branche. Please join us! Email her at kmartin@carolinapublicpress.org. The sad part is Jane Shooter, Pam Bright Prichard, Karen Ellis Prichard and others should have been fired 25 years ago. Although she filed a complaint, she said it was not taken seriously. But what to do with the 9-year-old girl? We would never support leaving a child in a hotel room with a stranger and 300 used needles, as a blanket statement, Blevins said Tuesday. 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. Does the child feel safe? Your support funds important public interest journalism. Noyes said she continues to work with her daughter to regain custody of the children but has become disappointed by the process. August 19, 2022 Posted August 1, 2022. "The county is in a strong financial position, so I think it makes the work that we do easier.". 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. A project supported by The California Endowment, Protection of NC children, families depends on the county, Structure of NC child protective services leads to inequity, NC could look to other states for potential child welfare reforms, Blevins could not confirm or deny anything, died while under supervision by county DSS. New DSS Director Selected-Katie Swanson from Buncombe County!! Officers traveled to the hotel room and talked with Stanley, the report says. This report has not been officially confirmed, but my sources are reliable. This project was produced for the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalisms 2020 Data Fellowship. Catherine Noyes is a grandmother who expresses frustration over the Cabarrus County Department of Social Services and courts handling of her familys case. 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. But sometimes social workers fudge. There appeared to be no attempt by the police or DSS to follow up with the Sheriffs Office. Please contact the developer of this form processor to improve this message. It was unclear whether photos documenting bruises were taken immediately or later, but they showed far less bruising than the family remembered seeing. The three main program areas are Economic Services Programs, Social Work Programs, and Family Support Services. A decade ago in Swain County, 15-month-oldAubrey Kina-Marie Littlejohndied while under supervision by county DSS. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Buncombe County Health and Human Services Director Stoney Blevins sits at his desk in Asheville. 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. Legislators in the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services voted 15-8 along party lines Tuesday in favor of subpoenaing Buncombe Health and Human Services Director Stoney Blevins, with Republicans in favor and Democrats against. 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. A judge granted the request. County Director of Social Services Work Type. 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. Copyright 2023 Citizens For Good Government. 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 may think the system has wronged their families. Sources report that the Cleveland County Commissioners have selected Katie Swanson from the Buncombe County DSS as the Director of the Cleveland County DSS. This is your chance to support credible, community-based, public-service journalism. F. (828) 250-6235. Court records from the case show that the judge recognized the ultimate goal of reuniting the boy with his family when possible, and while the fathers rights had been terminated, Reeves rights were intact. Many of the counties with very high removal rates have elevated poverty rates, but no direct correlation exists between poverty levels and child removal rates. The experience is typically traumatic and humiliating. Almost every one of those studies says essentially the same thing; the recommendations are pretty much the same, Blevins told the committee. Officers told her they might take him to jail and sarcastically asked if he should leave the girl alone in the hotel room. Related:After first clean audit in 4 years, Buncombe County again has 'significant deficiency', County Government:Buncombe County Commissioners discuss affordable housing, cryptocurrency, finances, "We can never really know what a particular environment will look like in any given year, but I lean to those relationships, so maintaining trust and communication both within and outside the organization," he said. I told her I did not have time to do that, I had to find a safe place for the child. 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. "What I have really appreciated lately is the internal support function," he said. Some abuse is so heinous that workers are required to investigate immediately. The district attorneys office decided that the evidence justified charges of misdemeanor child abuse, but not a felony. Buncombe County Health and Human Services Director Stoney Blevins sits at his desk in Asheville. . State Government websites value user privacy. 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. Low counties are clustered in the rural northeastern counties, which typically have very low populations. Police later claimed that they emailed information about the case to the Transylvania County Sheriffs Office. Blevins had said the subpoena was unnecessary. Adoptions in North Carolina cannot be reversed. But the map also shows that the high and very high counties mostly cluster geographically, as do the low and very low counties. People who lose their children or are unsuccessful in having children removed from the home of a troubled family member are not happy about these outcomes. 40 Coxe Avenue. Why didnt DSS show up on the scene? Inside were three adults and a 9-year-old girl, the police report of the traffic stop says. The Director is responsible for a budget of over $350 million dollars including Medicaid and Food Stamp benefits and slightly over 300 employees. 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. Police had pulled over a driver who was swerving over the white line. Even after all the insider wheeling and dealing that made her the Interim Director to begin with. DIRECTOR of SOCIAL SERVICES - CLOSES FEBRUARY 16, 2023 BEAUFORT COUNTY - SW IV REPOST - CLOSES FEBRUARY 10, 2023 BEAUFORT COUNTY - SW IV CWS /IAT - CLOSES FEBRUARY 10, 2023 CHATHAM COUNTY - IM CASEWORKER II - OPEN UNTIL FILLED 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. 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. Bakers stepmother was already the subject of previous abuse findings. A Social Worker is responsible for assessment of the situation and determining the need for protection. And so Im not sure we need a (new) law. Questions or comments? So, they did. 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. Sports:What's new with Memorial Stadium? Additional Information Performs other duties as assigned by the Supervisor, the Income Maintenance Administrator and the Director. He answered legislators questions about generic procedures but drew the line when asked about the specific case. The law gave DHHS authority to enforce performance standards at each county, and for DHHS to take over DSS offices that chronically underperform an authority DHHS used a few months later when it took over Cherokee Countys child welfare division. We have a broken child welfare system that we refuse to invest in, Blevins said. A tangible sign of those things are the yearly audit, which Scott said he hopes will show no findings. Social workers are supposed to try to make these contacts regularly. I apologize that I cant answer, Blevins said. 1,900+ former CCS Students 19-22 years old-Set for Failure-Right Now!!! Stanley said officers could search the room. The DSS Director reports directly to the Board of Social Services and reports indirectly to the County Manager's Office. Asheville, NC 28802 12. Blevins confirmed he will show up to talk with legislators once he receives the subpoena. The legal direction is that information cant be shared before the House or Senate, Govus said. 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. On March 20, police in Black Mountain pulled over a car that was swerving over the white line. Asheville, NC 28802 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. The police reported that an officer called Buncombe County DSS but thenhung up on the social worker. If you would like to obtain posters or rack cards, please email hhscommunications@buncombecounty.org, Social Work Services NC legislative oversight committee questions whether DSS official really needs a judges order to let him address his employees handling of case involving child. Carolina Public Press provides in-depth, investigative reporting on issues affecting Western North Carolina in a nonprofit, nonpartisan setting. The purpose of intake questions is to determine how urgently a case needs the governments attention. Please contact the developer of this form processor to improve this message. Post Office Box 7408. Graham County DSS Ms. Amy Seay, Director 196 Knight Street Post Office Box 1150 Robbinsville, NC 28771 Tel. Please help support this type of journalism with asubscriptionto the Citizen Times. Your support funds important public interest journalism. With new equality rules coming down the pipe, many of us will most likely meet the Director. We need to get rid of these over education ( Degree in B.S. If you have an update to county agency information, please email dssweb@dhhs.nc.gov . Box 7408 Buncombe County Employee Directories are records of the contact details for government staff in Buncombe County, North Carolina. Protection of the Abused, Neglected or Exploited Disabled Adult Act is located under Statute 108A Article 6. Why didnt DSS show up on the scene? She was concerned the children could be injured if he attacked her. So, we fund a position to work at the hospital so that we can respond to these situations as soon as that baby is delivered.
