Inside were three adults and a 9-year-old girl, the police report of the traffic stop says. Stacie Saunders, Buncombe County's public health director, who is leaving her position at the end of the year for a state government role. Time and again, though, lawmakers tried to turn the conversation back toward the specific case. [This story was originally published by Carolina Public Press.]. Learn More{{/message}}. Customer Service Center:1-800-662-7030 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. Each countys average annual removal rate, compared with the states annual removal rate, was calculated as a percentage of the states rate. 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. Stay up to date with the most current information. Officers then called Buncombe County HHS. A legislative study has shown that intake procedures differ widely among counties throughout North Carolina. Related:A timeline of the Buncombe County corruption investigation, Recent Reporting:Wanda Greene dark money lawsuit mediator orders her to hand over answers before Christmas. 40 Coxe Avenue
Places nearby. Ideally, when social workers conduct their monthly home visits, they look for changes in the home. 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. 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. County Police Department, Asheville, NC - 35 Woodfin St. - Social They may think the system has wronged their families. The Cleveland County Department of Social Services has a new director. Some of them are likely true. 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 like what you are reading and believe in independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan journalism like oursjournalism the way it should beplease contributeto keep us going. Is everyone healthy and is there enough food? Please contact the developer of this form processor to improve this message. Police arrested all three adults, one of whom was the girls father. Stories recount concerns with DSS agencies across North Carolina Social workers removed him from the foster care setting, but the family remained unclear about what happened to him next, they told CPP. CPPs news team analyzed data on child removals across North Carolina during the decade from 2010-19. Each of North Carolina's 100 counties has a local social services agency. I didnt realize there was a significant problem. 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 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. Think about this, This is Our Place Cleveland County ! This report has not been officially . the tall man aboriginal spirit; metadata api request failed: component conversion failed: file_ended; caleb foote sandlot If you cant answer because you dont know or you can answer because you refuse to under some other authority, Edwards said. Buncombe DSS Director Stonewalls Legislative Oversight Committee Provides receptionist duties at times to Central Clerical. Burke County DSS . Please contact the developer of this form processor to improve this message. Im so disgusted with the system. Fax Number: 828-250-6235 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. Carolina Public Press provides in-depth, investigative reporting on issues affecting Western North Carolina in a nonprofit, nonpartisan setting. To learn more, view our full privacy policy. According to Scott, the department has worked hard over the last few years to regain its trust from other internal departments and the general public after former County Manager Wanda Greene was indicted on embezzlement charges and went to federal prison. Although she filed a complaint, she said it was not taken seriously. Stoney Blevins, director of the Buncombe County Department of Social Services, testified before a state legislative committee last week, saying he couldnt tell legislators much about a specific child welfare case due to confidentiality laws. In a case of suspected abuse in a foster care setting, DSS is obligated to notify law enforcement. What's new with Memorial Stadium? County Vacancy Announcements - NCACDSS This is your chance to support credible, community-based, public-service journalism. 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. Blevins evaded, citing confidentiality rules. Apply to Engagement Director, Director of Admissions, Human Resources Specialist and more! This will reduce capacity to one active hopper and operational delays should be expected. 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. But this left the question for the officers of how to help the girl, they said. You may remain anonymous but we encourage you to give us your name in the event additional information is needed. 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. 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. CPP is not naming the adults because naming them could identify the young children. 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. Mason Scott, 34, was hand-picked by Warn as his temporary successor.
A lock icon or https:// means youve safely connected to the official website. I thought we were waiting for them to copy the records.. Buncombe County is basically my entire professional career at this point," Scott said. Most of the allegations CPP has received from families are nearly impossible to substantiate. 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: 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. Salary. Your support means a lot! She told the police she wanted to go home. He answered legislators questions about generic procedures but drew the line when asked about the specific case. Your email address will not be published. New DSS Director Selected-Katie Swanson from Buncombe County!! In Buncombe County you can make a Protective Service referral or report by calling (828) 250-5800 anytime, day or night. I apologize that I cant answer, Blevins said. Other cases require that they respond within 24 or 72 hours. Email her at imari.scarbrough@gmail.com. Secure websites use HTTPS certificates. When CPP brought the case to the attention of deputies in 2016, they conducted an investigation. A grand jury first indicted the mother for neglect in 2015. A social worker ordered a family to banish the family dog, who had bitten no one. This project was produced for the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalisms 2020 Data Fellowship. What You Need To Know About Reducing Fraud. Such records are typically open to prosecutors, according toPeg Dorer, with the N.C. Conference of District Attorneys. 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. Child welfare officials rank reported cases of abuse and respond either immediately, within 24 hours or within 72 hours depending on the severity of the allegation. New Jersey officials ruled the case a suicide, but a Carolina Public Press investigation identifiedproblems with this explanationthat have never been resolved. 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. Buncombe director won't comply with subpoena about girl, hotel, needles The boys deathspurred lawmakers to action, and the General Assembly approved a package of major reforms with strong bipartisan support. At one point, Noyes believed that an employee of DSS had an inappropriate previous professional relationship with a judge who handled the case. When news organizations contact local departments of social services offices with questions about a specific case, the agencies are typically unable to discuss them. Visit RelayNCfor information about TTY services. 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. During visitation with the family in 2014, they noticed marks on him, which led to a Department of Social Services investigation. Buncombe County Health and Human Services Director Stoney Blevins sits at his desk in Asheville. This is your chance to support credible, community-based, public-service journalism. Sources report that the Cleveland County Commissioners have selected Katie Swanson from the Buncombe County DSS as the Director of the Cleveland County DSS. Such records are typically open to prosecutors, according to Peg Dorer, with the N.C. Conference of District Attorneys. Buncombe County Health and Human Services Director Stoney Blevins sits at his desk in Asheville. NC Department of Health and Human Services P. (828) 250-5500
Choose a focus area. Didnt they care this girl was going to be left with someone she did not know? 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. Thank you! F. (828) 250-6235. Kellie Branche. State Government websites value user privacy. Thank you! Posted - July 28, 2022 Salary - $23.32 - $32.05 Continuous Recruitment. Contact him at ftaylor@carolinapublicpress.org. Is everyone healthy and is there enough food? 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. 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. "I'm grateful to have an opportunity to serve even in the interim at this point in my career.". Fax Number: 828-250-6341 Bakers stepmother was already the subject of previous abuse findings. Then, using the child population of each county during the year in question, reporters calculated the percentage of children removed in a given year. Or a family who had contacted CPP initially might not be able to talk now because of a settlement that included a nondisclosure agreement. 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. Frank Taylor is the managing editor of Carolina Public Press. Once a referral is taken for Protective Services, a Social Worker will be assigned the case. These records are tied into funding. The police reported that an officer called Buncombe County DSS but then hung up on the social worker. She wasnt sure why that didnt happen in Addisons case, and privacy laws prevented her from discussing the details. 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. The parents used intravenous drugs in the presence of their children and failed to provide adequate nutrition and hygiene, the indictments said. 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. Officers said they found drugs and needles on or near all of the adults, including uncapped hypodermic needles, marijuana and methamphetamine. At the core of what Scott will be working on within the department is the philosophy of "maintain, not correct," he said. 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. Contact him at RCSmith@gannett.com or 828-274-2222.