buncombe county dss director

In 2016, Rylan Ott, nearly 2 years old, wandered from his Carthage home and drowned in a pond. In some cases, people may have kept enough records and can present a credible account shored up by documentation. Customer Service Center:1-800-662-7030 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. Your email address will not be published. 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. She died in 2010, and her stepmother was eventually charged in her murder. Please join us! Must be able to understand and prioritize work to adhere to County, State and Federal timeframes. Blevins said confidentiality laws, as well as state rules surrounding personnel information, prevent him from saying more without a judges intervention. Blevins said he cant talk about specific child welfare cases because of confidentiality laws. Closing Date. 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. Each of North Carolina's 100 counties has a local social services agency. Learn More{{/message}}. Each countys average annual removal rate, compared with the states annual removal rate, was calculated as a percentage of the states rate. He told officers that he had met the girl for the first time that day and volunteered to watch her. No appointment is needed. Please read on to understand the state statute and Social Work Services responsibility. CPPs news team analyzed data on child removals across North Carolina during the decade from 2010-19. The boys death spurred lawmakers to action, and the General Assembly approved a package of major reforms with strong bipartisan support. On June 24, county DSS Social Work Director Rebecca Smith sent an email to all Buncombe law enforcement agency leaders acknowledging mistakes had been made in how the department responds to. Why didnt DSS show up on the scene? 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. The Purpose of Buncombe County Health and Human Services is to strengthen our communities by advancing health, safety, and opportunity. The School Board works for me. With new equality rules coming down the pipe, many of us will most likely meet the Director. 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. Low counties are clustered in the rural northeastern counties, which typically have very low populations. Meanwhile, Addisons birth family had no idea what had happened to him after removal from foster care. Yourtax-deductible donationwill advance our mission of supporting journalism as a catalyst for change. 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 DSS agent who had documented the abuse in foster care no longer worked there by this time. 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 At the close of the hearing, Sen. Edwards asked Blevins if the same DSS worker handled both calls from the Black Mountain Police Department. Is everyone healthy and is there enough food? 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. Officers then called Buncombe County HHS. A year ago, Buncombe County updated its policy, and social workers now respond to any law enforcement officers request for a social worker on the scene. Some families accused DSS staff of generally playing God with peoples lives and acting in a conspiratorial manner. Cheri Wood, 828-250-6340 Once a referral is taken for Protective Services, a Social Worker will be assigned the case. You may remain anonymous but we encourage you to give us your name in the event additional information is needed. A good many are probably false or contain half-truths. With the support of readers like you, we provide thoughtfully researched articles for a more informed and connected community. Adoptions in North Carolina cannot be reversed. A good many are probably false or contain half-truths. Sources report that the Cleveland County Commissioners have selected Katie Swanson from the Buncombe County DSS as the Director of the Cleveland County DSS. I truly hope in this process that this confidentiality requirement isnt being used to hide the mistakes, Hise said. Email her at kmartin@carolinapublicpress.org. Confidentiality rules preventing discussion of child welfare cases may limit much of the testimony NC legislators seek. Places nearby. 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. 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. Our staff is committed to providing Buncombe's diverse population with effective services in a timely and respectful manner. Throughout the hearing Blevins lauded Buncombe Countys DSS office as a model for other counties. A parents attorney could get a hold of these records and make an argument to have the kids returned home.. But what to do with the 9-year-old girl? 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. Imari Scarbrough is a contributing writer to Carolina Public Press. If you have any questions you may call or come into our office located at 35 Woodfin Street, Asheville, NC. But it took years for one young child to disclose what happened to her in the home. 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. Do you have concerns about a disabled adult who is either living in the community or in a licensed facility? 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. Stacie Saunders, Buncombe County's public health director, who is leaving her position at the end of the year for a state government role. 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. If the purpose of the record request is to protect a juvenile, then no court order would be needed, DePasquale told CPP. Thats all Im going to say, best leave before I get upset. 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Its often impossible to know because the evidence surrounding child protective services is not available to the public. Learn More{{/message}}, {{#message}}{{{message}}}{{/message}}{{^message}}It appears your submission was successful. She was concerned the children could be injured if he attacked her. At one point, we were having upwards of 400 babies a year born at Mission Hospital with illicit drugs in their system, Blevins said. Within the room they found methamphetamine, other drugs and 200-300 used hypodermic needles, they 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. But the grandmother said she could not care for Addison, Reeves younger child, at that time. Policy choices are made by individuals, though geographical isolation and limited resources may promote decisions in some areas of the state more than others. Work County. I ended the phone call.. 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. 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. 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. I do hope that the new Director will help me, we, us, or you the citizen. A lock icon or https:// means youve safely connected to the official website. "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.". 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Starting Monday, Feb. 27, a maintenance project taking place at the Buncombe County Transfer Station may cause some extended wait times. 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. If you would like to obtain posters or rack cards, please email hhscommunications@buncombecounty.org, Social Work Services Granville County DSS 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. Monday - Friday Stanley said officers could search the room. 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. Questions or comments? Even though the server responded OK, it is possible the submission was not processed. 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. Buncombe County Health and Human Services Director Stoney Blevins sits at his desk in Asheville. Does the child feel safe? Not long afterward, he died of an overdose. A year ago, Buncombe County updated its policy, and social workers now respond to any law enforcement officers request for a social worker on the scene. But the Sheriffs Office had no record of it. 2001 Mail Service Center During visitation with the family in 2014, they noticed marks on him, which led to a Department of Social Services investigation. Sen. Jim Perry pushed back at the notion of blanket confidentiality. Officers told her they might take him to jail and sarcastically asked if he should leave the girl alone in the hotel room. Your support means a lot! 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. She died during the winter, wearing only a T-shirt and her diaper. Buncombe County DSS Mr. Stoney Blevins, Director 828-250-5588. You guys are highly under-appreciated!! Buncombe County DSS Mr. Stoney Blevins, Director 828-250-5588. Sen. Ralph Hise similarly said he disagreed with Blevins assertion that he couldnt talk about the case and asserted that the General Assembly did not need permission from the judicial branch to do its job. If you have an update to county agency information, please email dssweb@dhhs.nc.gov. We can fix OUR Schools. The boys deathspurred lawmakers to action, and the General Assembly approved a package of major reforms with strong bipartisan support. Address: 40 Coxe Ave., Asheville, NC 28801, NC Department of Health and Human Services This report has not been officially . Email her at imari.scarbrough@gmail.com. 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. Buncombe County Health & Human Services Address: 40 Coxe Ave., Asheville, NC 28801 P.O. In addition, the intake procedures can be arduous, and repetitive questions can fluster those reporting suspected child maltreatment. When CPP brought the case to the attention of deputies in 2016, they conducted an investigation. Copyright 2023 Citizens For Good Government. If it is an emergency, an on-call social worker is available after regular business hours and weekends. Another Lawsuit Filed Against Cleveland Community College Board of Trustees!!! Most of the allegations CPP has received from families are nearly impossible to substantiate. please consider hanging this poster somewhere in your community. This statute was initiated to protect the increasing number of disabled adults in North Carolina who are being abused, neglected or exploited. Police arrested all three adults after saying they found drugs and used needles, according to the report. But sometimes social workers fudge. Noyes said she continues to work with her daughter to regain custody of the children but has become disappointed by the process. If you have an update to county agency information, please email dssweb@dhhs.nc.gov . 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. Blevins strongly disagreed with this last claim. A CPP investigation nearly two years later found that the family had notified the Brevard Police Department. 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. 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. Then, using the child population of each county during the year in question, reporters calculated the percentage of children removed in a given year. 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. A parents attorney could get a hold of these records and make an argument to have the kids returned home.. Maybe many others!! 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. Once social workers take in a child, every interaction is supposed to be closely monitored. I ended the phone call.. But Shooters long and corrupt past at CCDSS caught up with her. I thought I had faith in it, but I dont anymore.. When news organizations contact local departments of social services offices with questions about a specific case, the agencies are typically unable to discuss them. The position is appointed by and reports to a five-member Local Social Services Board. Your email address will not be published. Although she filed a complaint, she said it was not taken seriously. A tangible sign of those things are the yearly audit, which Scott said he hopes will show no findings. Customer Service Center: 1-800-662-7030 Visit RelayNC for information about TTY services. This is your chance to support credible, community-based, public-service journalism. The questions asked are important to assure that all appropriate services are made available to the adult. He answered legislators questions about generic procedures but drew the line when asked about the specific case. 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. ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) An attorney for Buncombe County Health and Human Services said in a letter director Talmadge "Stoney" Blevins would not comply with a subpoena about a case involving a 9 . They are still considered the public in regard to this.. Officers said that the father told them they could leave the girl in a hotel room with a man named Spencer, but when asked, the girl told police that his name was actually Stanley, she didnt know his last name and she wanted to go home. A judge granted the request. Adoptions in North Carolina cannot be reversed. A social worker ordered a family to banish the family dog, who had bitten no one. Polk County Department of Social Services. We would never support leaving a child in a hotel room with a stranger and 300 used needles, as a blanket statement, Blevins said last year. . Carolina Public Press has confirmed that there was a subpoena. I thought we were waiting for them to copy the records.. The DSS worker called back and asked him to help complete the intake report. But Reeves death was only part of the case. Some lawmakers were incensed. The North Carolina General Assembly meets in the State Legislative Building in Raleigh, seen here in Feb. 2018. But what to do with the 9-year-old girl? GPS Longitude:-82.548709. Blevins evaded, citing confidentiality rules. 90,126. Strong confidentiality rules surround child protective services cases under both state and federal law, for the purpose of protecting the identity of the children. Director. These records are tied into funding. At one point, Noyes believed that an employee of DSS had an inappropriate previous professional relationship with a judge who handled the case. 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.

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