buncombe county dss director

She told the police she wanted to go home. Social Work Services And I think you could understand how we would see that it could have the department or its failures.. Buncombe County DSS Mr. Stoney Blevins, Director 828-250-5588. 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. In almost all cases where a child is young or at immediate risk, child welfare workers are required to respond immediately. Other cases require that they respond within 24 or 72 hours. However, even with the subpoena, a county spokeswoman said Blevins would be limited in what he could reveal about the specific incident. Report and copy of Lawsuit provided by Robert A. Williams, Cleveland County Republicans in Civil War!! 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. 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. The Magazine Basic Theme by bavotasan.com. The server responded with {{status_text}} (code {{status_code}}). "I'm grateful to have an opportunity to serve even in the interim at this point in my career.". 40 Coxe Avenue Police arrested all three adults after saying they found drugs and used needles, according to the report. 0:57. Thank you! I thought I had faith in it, but I dont anymore.. At one point, Noyes believed that an employee of DSS had an inappropriate previous professional relationship with a judge who handled the case. Buncombe County will be making surface concrete repairs to the lower loading area. The study showed that correctly ranking the risk to children can be a difficult task, and even supervisors can incorrectly screen hypothetical child welfare cases. A CPP investigation nearly two years later found that the family had notified the Brevard Police Department. Her school reported abuse, and multiple social workers visited the family. 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. Each of North Carolina's 100 counties has a local social services agency. It was unclear whether photos documenting bruises were taken immediately or later, but they showed far less bruising than the family remembered seeing. You may also make the report in writing. He is earning a salary of $102,755.32, according to a public records request. As a retired CPS SWS, calls from APD and BCSO, were immediately responded to as a professional courtesy. Graham County DSS Ms. Amy Seay, Director 196 Knight Street Post Office Box 1150 Robbinsville, NC 28771 Tel. Please contact the developer of this form processor to improve this message. A decade ago in Swain County, 15-month-old Aubrey Kina-Marie Littlejohn died while under supervision by county DSS. P: (828) 250-5800. 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. Sources report that the Cleveland County Commissioners have selected Katie Swanson from the Buncombe County DSS as the Director of the Cleveland County DSS. 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. 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. Their stories were often shocking and always emotional. 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. 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. They visit the parents, then write down what they say. {{#message}}{{{message}}}{{/message}}{{^message}}Your submission failed. Zahra Baker was a native of Australia who lived in Catawba County with her father and stepmother. NC legislative oversight committee questions whether DSS official really needs a judges order to let him address his employees handling of case involving child. New Jersey officials ruled the case a suicide, but a Carolina Public Press investigation identified problems with this explanation that have never been resolved. Visit RelayNCfor information about TTY services. At times he was asked his thoughts on how to improve the states child welfare system. Time and again, though, lawmakers tried to turn the conversation back toward the specific case. A week later, the mother of two was found dead in a New Jersey motel room. The server responded with {{status_text}} (code {{status_code}}). 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. With new equality rules coming down the pipe, many of us will most likely meet the Director. 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.. Officers said they found drugs and needles on or near all of the adults, including uncapped hypodermic needles, marijuana and methamphetamine. For instance, he said, he can think of at least three studies of the child welfare system, in addition to federal reviews and several other legislative-level studies. Explore departmental dashboards. 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. Blevins said confidentiality laws, as well as state rules surrounding personnel information, prevent him from saying more without a judges intervention. They may think the system has wronged their families. Raleigh, NC 27699-2000. Then, using the child population of each county during the year in question, reporters calculated the percentage of children removed in a given year. Customer Service Center:1-800-662-7030 A week later, the mother of two was found dead in a New Jersey motel room. The DSS worker called back and asked him to help complete the intake report. 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. The case made international headlines over the following months, focusing a world spotlight on the total failure of the child protection system in her case. Once social workers take in a child, every interaction is supposed to be closely monitored. Carolina Public Press provides in-depth, investigative reporting on issues affecting Western North Carolina in a nonprofit, nonpartisan setting. But when public officials do not abide by the laws, they take an oath to, to stand for, then our system is in trouble. CPP then mapped these comparison percentages, marking distinctly those at the extremes. No appointment is needed. Some of them are likely true. Do you have concerns about a disabled adult who is either living in the community or in a licensed facility? 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 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. Officers then called Buncombe County HHS. An Associated Press investigation into Littlejohns death found social workers forged documents to cover their tracks after the girl died to show the visits had occurred when they in fact had not. You guys are highly under-appreciated!! Email her at kmartin@carolinapublicpress.org. The boys deathspurred lawmakers to action, and the General Assembly approved a package of major reforms with strong bipartisan support. A judge granted the request. 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. County Director of Social Services Work Type. Then, using the child population of each county during the year in question, reporters calculated the percentage of children removed in a given year. This will reduce capacity to one active hopper and operational delays should be expected. 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 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. 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. 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. A good many are probably false or contain half-truths. 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. Copyright 2023 Citizens For Good Government. Questions or comments? Colby Rabon / Carolina Public Press Their stories were often shocking and always emotional. This report has not been officially confirmed, but my sources are reliable. While Blevins said that confidentiality rules forbade him from talking about this specific case, he did entertain a hypothetical question. But Shooters long and corrupt past at CCDSS caught up with her. Her trailer had no heat, according to statements to law enforcement. 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. Low counties are clustered in the rural northeastern counties, which typically have very low populations. Over time, many families have contacted Carolina Public Press about child protective services concerns. New DSS Director Selected-Katie Swanson from Buncombe County!! 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. 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. 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. Buncombe County DSS has since changed its procedures, Blevins told Carolina Public Press last month. It was unclear whether photos documenting bruises were taken immediately or later, but they showed far less bruising than the family remembered seeing. The district attorneys office decided that the evidence justified charges of misdemeanor child abuse, but not a felony. In the bathroom there was a plastic container nearly full of used needles, the police report says. 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. #828-479-7911 Fax #828-479-7928 Courier Number: 08-40-02. And then we seem surprised when it fails. But sometimes social workers fudge. Buncombe County Health Department . Noyes said at first she thought that if you worked through the system and presented your case honestly, the situation would work out, but she now has no confidence in DSS and the family courts, a view she said is shared by members of other families whom shes talked with during court appearances. Email her at imari.scarbrough@gmail.com. There were needles under the seats and in the door pockets of the car. A lock icon or https:// means youve safely connected to the official website. It is my statement, based off my information, that no (DSS) staff member in Buncombe County has given the advice for a police officer to leave a child in a room with a stranger and 100 to 200 needles, Blevins said, speaking about the police report. This is your chance to support credible, community-based, public-service journalism. 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. Not long afterward, he died of an overdose. Reporting like this isnt free to produce and we cannot do this alone. 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. Adoptions in North Carolina cannot be reversed. 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. Rutherford County DSS Work County Rutherford Job Contact Luann Butler PO Box 242 389 Fairground Road Spindale, NC 28160 Office - 828-287-6283 FAX - 828-288-3406 Email: luann.butler@rutherfordcountync.gov Job Location 389 Fairground Road Spindale North Carolina 28160 Job Description Position Responsibilities: Strong confidentiality rules surround child protective services cases under both state and federal law, for the purpose of protecting the identity of the children. 40 Coxe Avenue. 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. 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. Im so disgusted with the system. CPP then mapped these comparison percentages, marking distinctly those at the extremes. She died in 2010, and her stepmother was eventually charged in her murder. Please read on to understand the state statute and Social Work Services responsibility. A horrific child sex abuse case in Cherokee County two years ago included apuzzling delayby DSS officials in cooperating with prosecutors. At one point, we were having upwards of 400 babies a year born at Mission Hospital with illicit drugs in their system, Blevins said. Theyve ripped (the grandchildrens) family apart, Noyes said. 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. Entertainment:Food Network's 'Spring Baking Championship' to feature WNC pastry chef. Public Employee Directories list that contact information, such as names, phone numbers, and . We aim to prevent abuse, neglect and exploitation of vulnerable residents and promote self-reliance and self-sufficiency for individuals and families. Your support means a lot! In a Sept. 15 email to Edwards, Blevins said he would be honored to meet with the committee to talk and answer questions about our child welfare system. Most of the allegations CPP has received from families are nearly impossible to substantiate. Sen. Jim Perry pushed back at the notion of blanket confidentiality. The Purpose of Buncombe County Health and Human Services is to strengthen our communities by advancing health, safety, and opportunity. But what to do with the 9-year-old girl? State Government websites value user privacy. Job Contact. Click a goal. Officers discovered hundreds of used needles along with drugs in the room. 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. When CPP brought the case to the attention of deputies in 2016, they conducted an investigation. Not long afterward, he died of an overdose. But Zahra was never removed from the family. Carolina Public Press contributing reporter Christian Green also assisted with interviews for this article. He answered legislators questions about generic procedures but drew the line when asked about the specific case. Stanley said officers could search the room. But even in some of these cases, legal counsel may ultimately advise them not to discuss the situation further. 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. 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. To make an adult or child protective services report any time, day or night, call the numbers below: Early Childhood Education & Development Fund, Environmental & Energy Stewardship Subcommittee, Parks, Greenways and Recreation Advisory Board. P.O. Asheville, NC 28802 And Im willing to have that conversation if this body is willing to take that action.. 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. Carolina Public Press contributing reporter Christian Green also assisted with interviews for this article. Bakers stepmother was already the subject of previous abuse findings. Department of Social Services. 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. Each member of a public agency or department must submit contact information for the Buncombe County personnel directory. Please help support this type of journalism with asubscriptionto the Citizen Times. A good many are probably false or contain half-truths. Asheville, NC 28802 12. Some abuse is so heinous that workers are required to investigate immediately. But even in some of these cases, legal counsel may ultimately advise them not to discuss the situation further. Please contact the developer of this form processor to improve this message. It is important to screen cases correctly, or agencies risk violating parents constitutional rights to raise their children. With the support of readers like you, we provide thoughtfully researched articles for a more informed and connected community. The North Carolina General Assembly meets in the State Legislative Building in Raleigh, seen here in Feb. 2018. Because of that, we placed one of our staff at the hospital. Didnt they care this girl was going to be left with someone she did not know? Forging contact records is not trivial. You may remain anonymous but we encourage you to give us your name in the event additional information is needed. Throughout last weeks hearing, Blevins explained the delicate balance of preserving parental rights while ensuring children are cared for. August 19, 2022 Posted August 1, 2022. Granville County DSS Police later claimed that they emailed information about the case to the Transylvania County Sheriffs Office. They may think the system has wronged their families. Jim Perry is so clueless: the purpose of an oversight committee is to provide oversight and rude. Scott has a bachelor's degree in German from Wake Forest University and a masters degree in project management from Western Carolina University, according to the county's news release. 40 Coxe Avenue. CPP is not naming the adults because naming them could identify the young children. To be perfectly honest, I just think we need to take action.. Yourtax-deductible donationwill advance our mission of supporting journalism as a catalyst for change. The state and counties, which implement state and federal policies at a local level, need to commit to make the changes, he said. The 2020 Elections can put an end to that. In addition, the intake procedures can be arduous, and repetitive questions can fluster those reporting suspected child maltreatment. Cheri Wood, 828-250-6340 Buncombe County Fire Marshall . We can fix OUR Schools. Lets start meeting and talking and get ready to kick these rats out. I truly hope in this process that this confidentiality requirement isnt being used to hide the mistakes, Hise said. When CPP brought the case to the attention of deputies in 2016, they conducted an investigation. A Social Worker is responsible for assessment of the situation and determining the need for protection. 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. Each of North Carolina's 100 counties has a local social services agency. Buncombe County Solid Waste is . For several months DSS did not produce confidential child welfare records for a criminal case after the DAs office sought them. Hey, look around, look around, are Our Schools working ? Would love your thoughts, please comment. Must be able to type a minimum of 40 words per minute. Stay up to date with the most current information. The officer hung up, and the DSS worker called back and asked him to complete the report. Additional information on reporting abuse. The mechanism to get that level of discussion is with an order signed by a judge. please consider hanging this poster somewhere in your community. Policy choices are made by individuals, though geographical isolation and limited resources may promote decisions in some areas of the state more than others. 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 . LE afforded BCDSS the same courtesy. Please join us! 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. Although she filed a complaint, she said it was not taken seriously. This project was produced for the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalisms 2020 Data Fellowship. A decade ago in Swain County, 15-month-oldAubrey Kina-Marie Littlejohndied while under supervision by county DSS. A CPP investigation nearly two years later found that the family had notified the Brevard Police Department. P. (828) 250-5500 Men Against the Women!! This report has not been officially . Theyve ripped (the grandchildrens) family apart, Noyes said. Transparency, relationships and continuous improvement are all things Scott hopes to work on during his time in the role, he said. Raleigh, NC 27699-2000. Blevins confirmed he will show up to talk with legislators once he receives the subpoena. Prosecutors filed additional charges, including incest, aiding and abetting incest, child prostitution and other felony sex offenses involving multiple close relatives. 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. The purpose of intake questions is to determine how urgently a case needs the governments attention. We have a broken child welfare system that we refuse to invest in, Blevins said. Upcoming articles in this series will examine the systemic problems that create challenges for child protective services in North Carolina and potential solutions. 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 . Its just disturbing. I thought I had faith in it, but I dont anymore.. 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. 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 City of Greenville is the county seat. The General Assembly called Buncombe County Health and Human Services Director Stoney Blevins to testify about the incident. 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. Zahra Bakerwas a native of Australia who lived in Catawba County with her father and stepmother. But others include the major Piedmont metro areas, which have some of the highest populations. All Rights Reserved. Thank you! 0 miles away . An Associated Press investigation into Littlejohns death found social workers forged documents to cover their tracksafter the girl diedto show the visits had occurred when they in fact had not. In Buncombe County you can make a Protective Service referral or report by calling (828) 250-5800 anytime, day or night. They have anywhere from immediately to 72 hours to respond to the case, depending on the seriousness of the situation. The police reported that an officer called Buncombe County DSS but thenhung up on the social worker. Didnt they care this girl was going to be left with someone she did not know? In a case of suspected abuse in a foster care setting, DSS is obligated to notify law enforcement. Blevins evaded, citing confidentiality rules. Social workers removed him from the foster care setting, but the family remained unclear about what happened to him next, they told CPP. 404 Social Services jobs available in Buncombe County, NC on Indeed.com. Or a family who had contacted CPP initially might not be able to talk now because of a settlement that included a nondisclosure agreement. Burke County DSS . Its just disturbing. I do hope that the new Director will help me, we, us, or you the citizen. The parents used intravenous drugs in the presence of their children and failed to provide adequate nutrition and hygiene, the indictments said. 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. Noyes said she continues to work with her daughter to regain custody of the children but has become disappointed by the process. 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. I can promise you, I would be better served to speak to you about the things youre asking me, Blevins said. Monday - Friday 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. Phone: 828-250-5500 He told officers that he had met the girl for the first time that day and volunteered to watch her. Mason Scott, 34, was hand-picked by Warn as his temporary successor. She died during the winter, wearing only a T-shirt and her diaper. Learn More{{/message}}, {{#message}}{{{message}}}{{/message}}{{^message}}It appears your submission was successful. As a result, the family said, the statute of limitations had expired, and no one could be charged two years later. Some lawmakers were incensed. To accept the referral for Protective Services the information provided must state: This specific criteria is important because Protective Services unlike other services provided by Social Work Services is initiated without the consent of the adult. Dumbing Down Courses for High School Students so CCS can send more students into Program so CCS and CCC make more $$$ off the Taxpayers!!! Monday - Friday A grand jury first indicted the mother for neglect in 2015. Your email address will not be published. Stay up to date with the most current information. Places nearby. Editors note: This is part 2 of the four-part investigative series Patchwork Protection. Part 1 appeared June 7. At one point, the report says, she advised officers to leave the girl in the custody of Stanley.. Contact him at ftaylor@carolinapublicpress.org.

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