buncombe county dss director buncombe county dss director

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. If the purpose of the record request is to protect a juvenile, then no court order would be needed, DePasquale told CPP. She told the police she wanted to go home. Blevins said he cant talk about specific child welfare cases because of confidentiality laws. Carolina Public Press provides in-depth, investigative reporting on issues affecting Western North Carolina in a nonprofit, nonpartisan setting. 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. It is my taxes that go to CCS. 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. Must be able to understand and prioritize work to adhere to County, State and Federal timeframes. Zahra Baker was a native of Australia who lived in Catawba County with her father and stepmother. Why didnt DSS show up on the scene? Officers discovered hundreds of used needles along with drugs in the room. . CPP is not naming the adults because naming them could identify the young children. 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. The questions asked are important to assure that all appropriate services are made available to the adult. With the support of readers like you, we provide thoughtfully researched articles for a more informed and connected community. Some lawmakers were incensed. Social workers removed him from the foster care setting, but the family remained unclear about what happened to him next, they told CPP. Sources report that the Cleveland County Commissioners have selected Katie Swanson from the Buncombe County DSS as the Director of the Cleveland County DSS. In a case of suspected abuse in a foster care setting, DSS is obligated to notify law enforcement. 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. Report and copy of Lawsuit provided by Robert A. Williams, Cleveland County Republicans in Civil War!! Their stories were often shocking and always emotional. Raleigh, NC 27699-2000. Thank you for serving our children. Reeves family said she had lived in fear for her life because of attacks from her ex-husbandTitus Boley, who had served a prison sentence for assaulting her. 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. This statute was initiated to protect the increasing number of disabled adults in North Carolina who are being abused, neglected or exploited. Carolina Public Press contributing reporter Christian Green also assisted with interviews for this article. This is your chance to support credible, community-based, public-service journalism. 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. 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 40 Coxe Avenue Noyes said she continues to work with her daughter to regain custody of the children but has become disappointed by the process. 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. But often county level workers fail to appropriately rank the risk of a case, according to a legislative report completed last year. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. But Reeves death was only part of the case. 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. 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. Learn More{{/message}}. If we need to talk specifics, all I would ask is that we take the appropriate legal steps so that I can talk to you freely without violating the law that I took an oath to uphold.. Officers traveled to the hotel room and talked with Stanley, the report says. In 2016, Rylan Ott, nearly 2 years old, wandered from his Carthage home and drowned in a pond. Lets start meeting and talking and get ready to kick these rats out. Your email address will not be published. A grand jury first indicted the mother for neglect in 2015. Email her at kmartin@carolinapublicpress.org. During visitation with the family in 2014, they noticed marks on him, which led to a Department of Social Services investigation. Food Assistance Medicaid Information Clinical Services Children Services Environmental Health Social Work Services News & Information National Black/African American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day The Director serves as the executive officer of the county board of social services executing the authority of the board as defined in GS 108A14. Social workers removed children seized over a mark from a supposed beating, even though there was no evidence of the mark. Police arrested all three adults after saying they found drugs and used needles, according to the report. Select acountyon the mapto view phone numbers, websites, physical addressesand mailing addresses. The district attorneys office decided that the evidence justified charges of misdemeanor child abuse, but not a felony. Maybe many others!! 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 Social Service Department Suggest Edit Address 40 Coxe Avenue, # G Asheville , North Carolina , 28801 Phone 828-250-5500 Fax 828-255-5845 Hours Mon-Fri 8:00 AM-5:00 PM Map of Buncombe County Social Service Department View map of Buncombe County Social Service Department, and get driving directions from your location. To be perfectly honest, I just think we need to take action.. Frank Taylor / Carolina Public Press. I mean you cant get back the last couple years of these little children, you know.. Click a goal. Ideally, when social workers conduct their monthly home visits, they look for changes in the home. 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. What You Need To Know About Reducing Fraud. Graham County DSS Ms. Amy Seay, Director 196 Knight Street Post Office Box 1150 Robbinsville, NC 28771 Tel. 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 . And some economically advantaged counties may also cluster with high or low removal rates. Work County. She wasnt sure why that didnt happen in Addisons case, and privacy laws prevented her from discussing the details. Are new people living there? Social workers are supposed to try to make these contacts regularly. When news organizations contact local departments of social services offices with questions about a specific case, the agencies are typically unable to discuss them. Most of the allegations CPP has received from families are nearly impossible to substantiate. Did you like this story? At the close of the hearing, Sen. Edwards asked Blevins if the same DSS worker handled both calls from the Black Mountain Police Department. Editors note: This is part 2 of the four-part investigative series Patchwork Protection. Part 1 appeared June 7. But the grandmother said she could not care for Addison, Reeves younger child, at that time. A week later, the mother of two was found dead in a New Jersey motel room. Such records are typically open to prosecutors, according toPeg Dorer, with the N.C. Conference of District Attorneys. At the core of what Scott will be working on within the department is the philosophy of "maintain, not correct," he said. When CPP brought the case to the attention of deputies in 2016, they conducted an investigation. For several months DSS did not produce confidential child welfare records for a criminal case after the DAs office sought them. Copyright 2023 Citizens For Good Government. 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. When news organizations contact local departments of social services offices with questions about a specific case, the agencies are typically unable to discuss them. On March 20, police in Black Mountain pulled over a car that was swerving over the white line. Subpoenas to testify before the state legislature are rare. Did you know that there is a law that was enacted in 1975 to protect disabled adults from abuse, neglect and exploitation? County Social Services Director Work Type Directors and Program Managers Position Number 221-16-0001 Salary $72,892 - $109,338 Closing Date May 10, 2021 Posted April 23, 2021 Agency Name Mitchell County Department of Social Services Work County Mitchell Job Contact 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. Pitt County is approximately 90 miles east of Raleigh NC with a population of 180,742. 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. There appeared to be no attempt by the police or DSS to follow up with the Sheriffs Office. The three main program areas are Economic Services Programs, Social Work Programs, and Family Support Services. This project was produced for the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalisms 2020 Data Fellowship. 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. Mason Scott, 34, was hand-picked by Warn as his temporary successor. Kellie Branche. Sources report that the Cleveland County Commissioners have selected Katie Swanson from the Buncombe County DSS as the Director of the Cleveland County DSS. 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. State law also allows DSS offices to disclose records to prosecutors without court orders, said Sara DePasquale, an associate professor specializing in child welfare law at the UNC School of Government, two years ago. Email her at kmartin@carolinapublicpress.org. pigella miraculous ladybug power. She was concerned the children could be injured if he attacked her. 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. Email her at kmartin@carolinapublicpress.org. No appointment is needed. Does the child feel safe? After children return to the home, social workers stay in touch to make sure they are safe. Learn More{{/message}}. 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. Low counties are clustered in the rural northeastern counties, which typically have very low populations. Our staff is committed to providing Buncombe's diverse population with effective services in a timely and respectful manner. Throughout last weeks hearing, Blevins explained the delicate balance of preserving parental rights while ensuring children are cared for. I didnt realize there was a significant problem. A decade ago in Swain County, 15-month-old Aubrey Kina-Marie Littlejohn died while under supervision by county DSS. 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. Officers told her they might take him to jail and sarcastically asked if he should leave the girl alone in the hotel room. CPP is not naming the adults because naming them could identify the young children. I mean you cant get back the last couple years of these little children, you know.. Once a referral is taken for Protective Services, a Social Worker will be assigned the case. What's new with Memorial Stadium? Social workers removed children seized over a mark from a supposed beating, even though there was no evidence of the mark. "What I have really appreciated lately is the internal support function," he said. Monday - Friday Blevins evaded, citing confidentiality rules. 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. GPS Latitude: 35.597763. But it took years for one young child to disclose what happened to her in the home. 1,900+ former CCS Students 19-22 years old-Set for Failure-Right Now!!! 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. 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. Volunteer for the HCCBG Advisory Committee! You may also make the report in writing. A judge granted the request. This is part 2 of the four-part investigative series Patchwork Protection produced by Kate Martinfor the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalisms 2020 Data Fellowship. The successful candidate has a history of collaborating with staff, the local community and state partners to create stronger families, safer communities, and a better future for those they serve. Meanwhile, Addisons birth family had no idea what had happened to him after removal from foster care. 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. 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. 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. Trouble in Paradise for Sure!!! {{#message}}{{{message}}}{{/message}}{{^message}}Your submission failed. Throughout the hearing Blevins lauded Buncombe Countys DSS office as a model for other counties. 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. Didnt they care this girl was going to be left with someone she did not know? #828-479-7911 Fax #828-479-7928 Courier Number: 08-40-02. I ended the phone call.. If it is an emergency, an on-call social worker is available after regular business hours and weekends. Much like 911 operators, DSS workers ask specific questions when taking information on a new case, called intake, he explained. 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. 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. 0 miles away. But it took years for one young child to disclose what happened to her in the home. Will Asheville City Soccer Club still play there? Kate Martin is lead investigative reporter for Carolina Public Press. The General Assembly called Buncombe County Health and Human Services DirectorStoney Blevinsto testify about the incident. No subpoena is necessary.. A CPP investigation nearly two years later found that the family had notified the Brevard Police Department. the tall man aboriginal spirit; metadata api request failed: component conversion failed: file_ended; caleb foote sandlot The DSS worker called back and asked him to help complete the intake report. But the Sheriffs Office had no record of it. ), socially joined at the hip, high headed in their own mind educrats. Im so disgusted with the system. Editors note: This is part 2 of the four-part investigative series Patchwork Protection. Part 1 appeared June 7. In a case of suspected abuse in a foster care setting, DSS is obligated to notify law enforcement. Henderson County resident Felicia Reeves disappeared in August 2015. 2001 Mail Service Center She died during the winter, wearing only a T-shirt and her diaper. 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. The parents used intravenous drugs in the presence of their children and failed to provide adequate nutrition and hygiene, the indictments said. In 2020, police in Black Mountain pulled over a swerving car and arrested all three adults. The boys death spurred lawmakers to action, and the General Assembly approved a package of major reforms with strong bipartisan support. Frank Taylor / Carolina Public Press. At one point, Noyes believed that an employee of DSS had an inappropriate previous professional relationship with a judge who handled the case. Monday - Friday With the support of readers like you, we provide thoughtfully researched articles for a more informed and connected community.