A good many are probably false or contain half-truths. 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. 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. All Rights Reserved. Carolina Public Press has confirmed that there was a subpoena. Kellie Branche. 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. Must be able to type a minimum of 40 words per minute. 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. When CPP brought the case to the attention of deputies in 2016, they conducted an investigation. Asheville, NC 28802 12. Social workers are supposed to try to make these contacts regularly. Some of them are likely true. If the purpose of the record request is to protect a juvenile, then no court order would be needed, DePasquale told CPP. Once a referral is taken for Protective Services, a Social Worker will be assigned the case. I can promise you, I would be better served to speak to you about the things youre asking me, Blevins said. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The Pitt County Department of Social Services (DSS) is seeking a mission-driven leader to be their next Social Services Director. Explore departmental dashboards. Or a family who had contacted CPP initially might not be able to talk now because of a settlement that included a nondisclosure agreement. Does the child feel safe? You may remain anonymous but we encourage you to give us your name in the event additional information is needed. Maybe many others!! Catherine Noyes is a grandmother who expresses frustration over the Cabarrus County Department of Social Services and courts handling of her familys case. As a result, the family said, the statute of limitations had expired, and no one could be charged two years later. She wasnt sure why that didnt happen in Addisons case, and privacy laws prevented her from discussing the details. A judge granted the request. At one point, we were having upwards of 400 babies a year born at Mission Hospital with illicit drugs in their system, Blevins said. I ended the phone call.. please consider hanging this poster somewhere in your community. This report has not been officially confirmed, but my sources are reliable. However, even with the subpoena, a county spokeswoman said Blevins would be limited in what he could reveal about the specific incident. But the map also shows that the high and very high counties mostly cluster geographically, as do the low and very low counties. Not long afterward, he died of an overdose. Required fields are marked *. Yourtax-deductible donationwill advance our mission of supporting journalism as a catalyst for change. But sometimes social workers fudge. At the close of the hearing, Sen. Edwards asked Blevins if the same DSS worker handled both calls from the Black Mountain Police Department. The Social Services Director will be responsible for setting strategy and direction for all Department of Social Service programs, being a change agent for the organization, and building a cohesive DSS team. Post Office Box 7408. Additional information on reporting abuse. 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. 2001 Mail Service Center Jim Perry is so clueless: the purpose of an oversight committee is to provide oversight and rude. Think about this, This is Our Place Cleveland County ! I told her I did not have time to do that, I had to find a safe place for the child. Officers said they found drugs and needles on or near all of the adults, including uncapped hypodermic needles, marijuana and methamphetamine. 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. Food Assistance Medicaid Information Clinical Services Children Services Environmental Health Social Work Services News & Information National Black/African American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Your email address will not be published. There appeared to be no attempt by the police or DSS to follow up with the Sheriffs Office. A lock icon or https:// means youve safely connected to the official website. The report says a social worker told police that DSS did not respond to these situations., Officers explained that the parent wanted to leave the girl with Stanley. The report says the DSS worker demanded multiple times to take a report over the phone. Adults Protective Services: DSS - Buncombe County | Asheville Aging & Adult Services Child & Family Services Foster Parent Resources Adult Protective Services In Buncombe County you can make a Protective Service referral or report by calling (828) 250-5800 anytime, day or night. 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. 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. And Im willing to have that conversation if this body is willing to take that action.. Are new people living there? He was making a salary of $161,785.44, according to a public records request. 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. But Zahra was never removed from the family. Men Against the Women!! A judge granted the request. 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. Reporting like this isnt free to produce and we cannot do this alone. You guys are highly under-appreciated!! Subpoenas to testify before the state legislature are rare. New Jersey officials ruled the case a suicide, but a Carolina Public Press investigation identifiedproblems with this explanationthat have never been resolved. Her trailer had no heat, according to statements to law enforcement. This is your chance to support credible, community-based, public-service journalism. I thought we were waiting for them to copy the records.. 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. Even though the server responded OK, it is possible the submission was not processed. After children return to the home, social workers stay in touch to make sure they are safe. Learn More{{/message}}, {{#message}}{{{message}}}{{/message}}{{^message}}It appears your submission was successful. "The county is in a strong financial position, so I think it makes the work that we do easier.". P: (828) 250-5800. 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. 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. Adoptions in North Carolina cannot be reversed. 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. Would love your thoughts, please comment. These records are tied into funding. We need to get rid of these over education ( Degree in B.S. Please contact the developer of this form processor to improve this message. Social workers removed children seized over a mark from a supposed beating, even though there was no evidence of the mark. There appeared to be no attempt by the police or DSS to follow up with the Sheriffs Office. 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. Entertainment:Food Network's 'Spring Baking Championship' to feature WNC pastry chef. Social Worker Buncombe Family and Children's Services We can fix OUR Schools. The DSS worker called back and asked him to help complete the intake report. With new equality rules coming down the pipe, many of us will most likely meet the Director. Each of North Carolina's 100 counties has a local social services agency. 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 Purpose of Buncombe County Health and Human Services is to strengthen our communities by advancing health, safety, and opportunity. 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. Box 7408 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. 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. Imari Scarbrough is a contributing writer to Carolina Public Press. ", "We're good at what we do, we are consistent, we have good documentation and we have those good relationships across the organization," he said. After children return to the home, social workers stay in touch to make sure they are safe. 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. Cheri Wood, 828-250-6340 0:57. Monday - Friday Please join us! 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. Buncombe County Health and Human Services Director Stoney Blevins sits at his desk in Asheville. 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. I truly hope in this process that this confidentiality requirement isnt being used to hide the mistakes, Hise said. Buncombe County's Finance Department, which oversees the accounting for the over $580 million fiscal year 2023 budget, recently lost its director to another county, and a longtime Buncombe County employee has stepped up to temporarily hold the position. Address: 40 Coxe Ave., Asheville, NC 28801 It was unclear whether photos documenting bruises were taken immediately or later, but they showed far less bruising than the family remembered seeing. To be perfectly honest, I just think we need to take action.. New Jersey officials ruled the case a suicide, but a Carolina Public Press investigation identified problems with this explanation that have never been resolved. Records from Reeves communications during the final weeks of her life show that she was repeatedly at odds with DSS agents over her son, though what she knew about his location was not clear. Asheville, NC 28802 12. Choose a focus area. A legislative study has shown that intake procedures differ widely among counties throughout North Carolina. To help people know where to go if they suspect maltreatment or self-neglect, this rack card was created by BCHHS. Legislators subpoena Buncombe official over DSS handling of childs case, Legislators grill Buncombe DSS director, who disputes Black Mountain cops, cites confidentiality rules, NC could look to other states for potential child welfare reforms, Governor signs bipartisan child welfare overhaul bill, Mining in your backyard: The story of Mountain Mist Mine and the neighbors contesting it, part two, Mining in your backyard: The story of Mountain Mist Mine and the neighbors contesting it, part one, Teen girls engulfed in a growing wave of sadness, violence and trauma, latest youth survey shows, Looming cuts to emergency SNAP benefits threaten food security in rural America, Taking a moonshot at early colorectal cancer detection in northeastern NC, Your support funds important public interest journalism, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. If you have any questions you may call or come into our office located at 35 Woodfin Street, Asheville, NC. On March 20, police in Black Mountain pulled over a car that was swerving over the white line. Places nearby. Buncombe County Health and Human Services Director Stoney Blevins sits at his desk in Asheville. Buncombe County Solid Waste is . Did you know that there is a law that was enacted in 1975 to protect disabled adults from abuse, neglect and exploitation? Because of that, we placed one of our staff at the hospital. Visit RelayNCfor information about TTY services. But sometimes social workers fudge. If the purpose of the record request is to protect a juvenile, then no court order would be needed, DePasquale told CPP. 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 Guilford County news release. 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 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. Frank Taylor / Carolina Public Press. Contact him at ftaylor@carolinapublicpress.org. ASHEVILLE - Buncombe County's Public Health. Must be able to understand and prioritize work to adhere to County, State and Federal timeframes. Raleigh, NC 27699-2000. 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. Shooter is not expected to last very long. Do you have concerns about a disabled adult who is either living in the community or in a licensed facility? 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.. "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.". 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. What's new with Memorial Stadium? Then, using the child population of each county during the year in question, reporters calculated the percentage of children removed in a given year. 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. Stacie Saunders, Buncombe County's public health director, who is leaving her position at the end of the year for a state government role. This report has not been officially . 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. This will reduce capacity to one active hopper and operational delays should be expected. Ideally, when social workers conduct their monthly home visits, they look for changes in the home. In December 2022, just one month before he was appointed to the interim position on Jan. 25, Scott was promoted to assistant finance director. I ended the phone call.. Police had pulled over a driver who was swerving over the white line. Over time, many families have contacted Carolina Public Press about child protective services concerns. Officers located needles on the beds, the nightstands, TV stand and the bathroom. County Social Services Director - DSS Jobs NC County Social Services Director Work Type Directors and Program Managers Position Number 840201 Salary $98,812 - $156,171 Closing Date July 8, 2022 Posted June 9, 2022 Agency Name Social Services Work County Pitt Job Location 1717 West 5th Street Greenville North Carolina 27834 Job Description Government, Non-Profit and Other Non-Profit Organizations Individual and Family Social Services Social Service and Welfare . With the support of readers like you, we provide thoughtfully researched articles for a more informed and connected community. The boys death spurred lawmakers to action, and the General Assembly approved a package of major reforms with strong bipartisan support. Then, using the child population of each county during the year in question, reporters calculated the percentage of children removed in a given year. 40 Coxe Avenue If you have an update to county agency information, please email dssweb@dhhs.nc.gov . Fax Number: 828-250-6341 County Director of Social Services August 1, 2022 / DSS Jobs NC. BUNCOMBE COUNTY - IM CASEWORKER II VARIOUS PROGRAMS - OPEN UNTIL FILLED DURHAM COUNTY - ASST. This is your chance to support credible, community-based, public-service journalism. But the grandmother said she could not care for Addison, Reeves younger child, at that time. Directors and Program Managers. These records are tied into funding. Buncombe County DSS Mr. Stoney Blevins, Director 828-250-5588. If you have an update to county agency information, please email dssweb@dhhs.nc.gov. Some lawmakers were incensed. Stay up to date with the most current information. Henderson County resident Felicia Reeves disappeared in August 2015. I ended the phone call.. And yet, I do not see proof that weve implemented the plans that have been made.. But the foster care residence was in unincorporated Transylvania County, not the city of Brevard. Low counties are clustered in the rural northeastern counties, which typically have very low populations. 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. 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. 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: The Cleveland County Department of Social Services has a new director. The General Assembly called Buncombe County Health and Human Services Director Stoney Blevins to testify about the incident. The Magazine Basic Theme by bavotasan.com. NC Department of Health and Human Services 2001 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-2000. In Buncombe County you can make a Protective Service referral or report by calling (828) 250-5800 anytime, day or night. But others include the major Piedmont metro areas, which have some of the highest populations. Prosecutors filed additional charges, including incest, aiding and abetting incest, child prostitution and other felony sex offenses involving multiple close relatives. A lock icon or https:// means youve safely connected to the official website. But often county level workers fail to appropriately rank the risk of a case, according to a legislative report completed last year. Im so disgusted with the system. Response times to child welfare reports vary depending on how much risk the child is in. In 2020, police in Black Mountain pulled over a swerving car and arrested all three adults. 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.. 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, The Home and Community Care Block Grant Advisory Committee. A week later, the mother of two was found dead in a New Jersey motel room. A horrific child sex abuse case in Cherokee County two years ago included apuzzling delayby DSS officials in cooperating with prosecutors. . Once social workers take in a child, every interaction is supposed to be closely monitored. A parents attorney could get a hold of these records and make an argument to have the kids returned home.. Pitt County is approximately 90 miles east of Raleigh NC with a population of 180,742. A good many are probably false or contain half-truths. Is everyone healthy and is there enough food? The largest concentration of counties that are removing children at high or very high rates are in the western mountain counties, though a smaller cluster also exists in the southeastern counties, and a few other exceptions are scattered across the map. So, they did. Click a goal. The programs are housed in three separate locations. I do hope that the new Director will help me, we, us, or you the citizen. A grand jury first indicted the mother for neglect in 2015. Time and again, though, lawmakers tried to turn the conversation back toward the specific case. Legislators grill Buncombe DSS director, who disputes Black Mountain cops, intake procedures differ widely among counties, Legislators subpoena Buncombe official over DSS handling of childs case, Stories recount concerns with DSS agencies across North Carolina, Change in NC rent aid programs could force counties to pull from their own budgets, Mining in your backyard: The story of Mountain Mist Mine and the neighbors contesting it, part two, Mining in your backyard: The story of Mountain Mist Mine and the neighbors contesting it, part one, Teen girls engulfed in a growing wave of sadness, violence and trauma, latest youth survey shows, Looming cuts to emergency SNAP benefits threaten food security in rural America, Taking a moonshot at early colorectal cancer detection in northeastern NC, Your support funds important public interest journalism, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. In 2016, Rylan Ott, nearly 2 years old, wandered from his Carthage home and drowned in a pond. Confidentiality rules preventing discussion of child welfare cases may limit much of the testimony NC legislators seek. 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. Work County. But this left the question for the officers of how to help the girl, they said. I thought I had faith in it, but I dont anymore.. State Sen. Chuck Edwards said during the hearing that police officers were told by a social worker to leave the . Addison was placed in foster care in Transylvania County. Stay up to date with the most current information. Email her at kmartin@carolinapublicpress.org. Prosecutors filed additional charges, including incest, aiding and abetting incest, child prostitution and other felony sex offenses involving multiple close relatives. Public Employee Directories list that contact information, such as names, phone numbers, and . "I'm still kind of young in my career. The mechanism to get that level of discussion is with an order signed by a judge. [This story was originally published by Carolina Public Press.]. Bakers stepmother was already the subject of previous abuse findings. 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. Polk County Department of Social Services. Address: 40 Coxe Ave., Asheville, NC 28801, NC Department of Health and Human Services But the map also shows that the high and very high counties mostly cluster geographically, as do the low and very low counties. ), socially joined at the hip, high headed in their own mind educrats. 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. Please read on to understand the state statute and Social Work Services responsibility. Carolina Public Press provides in-depth, investigative reporting on issues affecting Western North Carolina in a nonprofit, nonpartisan setting.