buncombe county dss director buncombe county dss director

A good many are probably false or contain half-truths. Lets start meeting and talking and get ready to kick these rats out. 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. 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 her youngest son, Addison. She wasnt sure why that didnt happen in Addisons case, and privacy laws prevented her from discussing the details. Police had pulled over a driver who was swerving over the white line. I think it is critical for this committee to thoroughly understand why anyone thought it would be OK to leave a 9-year-old girl in a hotel room with a stranger that contained needles and drugs, Edwards said. The General Assembly called Buncombe County Health and Human Services Director Stoney Blevins to testify about the incident. Prosecutors filed additional charges, including incest, aiding and abetting incest, child prostitution and other felony sex offenses involving multiple close relatives. The City of Greenville is the county seat. Although she filed a complaint, she said it was not taken seriously. Buncombe County Health & Human Services Address: 40 Coxe Ave., Asheville, NC 28801 P.O. These records are tied into funding. Copyright 2023 Citizens For Good Government. 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. 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. Social workers removed him from the foster care setting, but the family remained unclear about what happened to him next, they told CPP. Thats all Im going to say, best leave before I get upset. Why didnt DSS show up on the scene? Learn More{{/message}}, {{#message}}{{{message}}}{{/message}}{{^message}}It appears your submission was successful. LE afforded BCDSS the same courtesy. She died in 2010, and her stepmother was eventually charged in her murder. 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. Henderson County resident Felicia Reeves disappeared in August 2015. If you would like to obtain posters or rack cards, please email hhscommunications@buncombecounty.org, Social Work Services Buncombe DSS director won't comply with subpoena about 9-year - WLOS Im so disgusted with the system. In 2016, Rylan Ott, nearly 2 years old, wandered from his Carthage home and drowned in a pond. In a case of suspected abuse in a foster care setting, DSS is obligated to notify law enforcement. 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 . A decade ago in Swain County, 15-month-oldAubrey Kina-Marie Littlejohndied while under supervision by county DSS. During visitation with the family in 2014, they noticed marks on him, which led to a Department of Social Services investigation. When he arrived at the hearing, Blevins was told that there, in fact, was not a subpoena a fact that was disputed among different members of the committee throughout the hearing lasting more than two hours. State law also allows DSS offices to disclose records to prosecutors without court orders, saidSara DePasquale, an associate professor specializing in child welfare law at the UNC School of Government, two years ago. The experience is typically traumatic and humiliating. Ideally, when social workers conduct their monthly home visits, they look for changes in the home. "The county has a strong team in the Finance Department and we appreciate Mason serving as our interim as the Commissioners undergo a search process to hire a new permanent Finance Director for Buncombe County," Board of Commissioners Chair Brownie Newman said. 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. 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. Public Employee Directories list that contact information, such as names, phone numbers, and . Reeves family said she had lived in fear for her life because of attacks from her ex-husband Titus Boley, who had served a prison sentence for assaulting her. Fax Number: 828-250-6341 Is everyone healthy and is there enough food? Some of them are likely true. 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. Buncombe County public health director leaving for NC Public Health We have a broken child welfare system that we refuse to invest in, Blevins said. Our staff is committed to providing Buncombe's diverse population with effective services in a timely and respectful manner. NC legislative oversight committee questions whether DSS official really needs a judges order to let him address his employees handling of case involving child. Tracy Jones, who was DSS director in Transylvania County in 2016 but not during the time of the foster care abuse allegation, told CPP that the agencys procedure during an adoption is always to notify the next of kin first. In the upcoming election we can kick out this majority fool board. The statute requires that anyone having reason to believe that a disabled person is in need of protective service shall report such information to the director of the Social Work Services. Some of them are likely true. Printable DSS Directory 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. Stories Recount Concerns With DSS Agencies Across North Carolina Forging contact records is not trivial. Must be able to type a minimum of 40 words per minute. 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. 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. Transparency, relationships and continuous improvement are all things Scott hopes to work on during his time in the role, he said. This will reduce capacity to one active hopper and operational delays should be expected. Buncombe County has an average of 1,600 employees who serve as sheriff deputies, nurses, social workers, librarians, emergency medical workers, park rangers, environmental health specialists, planners, tax assessors, administrators and more - all working to serve the residents of Buncombe County. To learn more, view our full privacy policy. This project was produced for the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalisms 2020 Data Fellowship. Starting Monday, Feb. 27, a maintenance project taking place at the Buncombe County Transfer Station may cause some extended wait times. Social workers are supposed to try to make these contacts regularly. Catherine Noyes is a grandmother who expresses frustration over the Cabarrus County Department of Social Services and courts handling of her familys case. Social workers removed children seized over a mark from a supposed beating, even though there was no evidence of the mark. 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. CPP then mapped these comparison percentages, marking distinctly those at the extremes. Your email address will not be published. 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. The North Carolina General Assembly meets in the State Legislative Building in Raleigh, seen here in Feb. 2018. NC Department of Health and Human Services 2001 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-2000. 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. Local DSS Directory | NCDHHS 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. A later independent investigation into Moore Countys Department of Social Services revealed that overworked caseworkers did not visit the mother as they were supposed to, and the department did not properly supervise its caseworkers to ensure they followed state law and policy, according to the Fayetteville Observer. The Director is responsible for a budget of over $350 million dollars including Medicaid and Food Stamp benefits and slightly over 300 employees. 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. Are new people living there? 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.. 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. 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. Yourtax-deductible donationwill advance our mission of supporting journalism as a catalyst for change. 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. 40 Coxe Avenue. Your support funds important public interest journalism. Buncombe DSS Director Stonewalls Legislative Oversight Committee 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. An official website of the State of North Carolina, Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse, Office Of Minority Health And Health Disparities, Services for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing. Forging contact records is not trivial. She wasnt sure why that didnt happen in Addisons case, and privacy laws prevented her from discussing the details. 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. A timeline of the Buncombe County corruption investigation, Wanda Greene dark money lawsuit mediator orders her to hand over answers before Christmas, former County Manager Wanda Greene was indicted on embezzlement charges and went to federal prison. The legal direction is that information cant be shared before the House or Senate, Govus said. Ideally, when social workers conduct their monthly home visits, they look for changes in the home. Does the child feel safe? A social worker ordered a family to banish the family dog, who had bitten no one. DSS Director - DSS Jobs NC CPPs news team analyzed data on child removals across North Carolina during the decade from 2010-19. There appeared to be no attempt by the police or DSS to follow up with the Sheriffs Office. Not long afterward, he died of an overdose. The programs are housed in three separate locations. We aim to prevent abuse, neglect and exploitation of vulnerable residents and promote self-reliance and self-sufficiency for individuals and families. County Center - Transfer Station Repair Project May Cause Possible Delays The server responded with {{status_text}} (code {{status_code}}). To learn more, view our full privacy policy. Social workers are supposed to try to make these contacts regularly. Your email address will not be published. These are my Children that attend school. Noyes said she continues to work with her daughter to regain custody of the children but has become disappointed by the process. This is your chance to support credible, community-based, public-service journalism. Prosecutors filed additional charges, including incest, aiding and abetting incest, child prostitution and other felony sex offenses involving multiple close relatives. And yet, I do not see proof that weve implemented the plans that have been made.. 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. The district attorneys office decided that the evidence justified charges of misdemeanor child abuse, but not a felony. 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. I thought I had faith in it, but I dont anymore.. Meanwhile, Addisons birth family had no idea what had happened to him after removal from foster care. At the expense of our Childrens Future!!! 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. 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. Maybe many others!! CPP then mapped these comparison percentages, marking distinctly those at the extremes. 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. Are new people living there? Buncombe County DSS has since changed its procedures, Blevins told Carolina Public Press last month. But it took years for one young child to disclose what happened to her in the home. The three main program areas are Economic Services Programs, Social Work Programs, and Family Support Services. But the grandmother said she could not care for Addison, Reeves younger child, at that time. 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. Kate Martin is lead investigative reporter for Carolina Public Press. Christian Smith is the general assignment reporter for the Asheville Citizen-Times. 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. But Reeves death was only part of the case. A horrific child sex abuse case in Cherokee County two years ago included apuzzling delayby DSS officials in cooperating with prosecutors. 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. Required fields are marked *. Reporting like this isnt free to produce and we cannot do this alone. Adults Protective Services: DSS - Buncombe County | Asheville And Im willing to have that conversation if this body is willing to take that action.. 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. NC Department of Health and Human Services 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. Raleigh, NC 27699-2000. P.O. 40 Coxe Avenue 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 sometimes social workers fudge. Human Resources - Buncombe County | Asheville NC With the support of readers like you, we provide thoughtfully researched articles for a more informed and connected community. Office Assistant III-FNS - DSS Jobs NC It was unclear whether photos documenting bruises were taken immediately or later, but they showed far less bruising than the family remembered seeing. Blevins challenged the accuracy of a Black Mountain Police Departments report that had led to the request for him to appear before legislators. 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. Sen. Jim Perry pushed back at the notion of blanket confidentiality. Social workers removed him from the foster care setting, but the family remained unclear about what happened to him next, they told CPP. County has new DSS director - Shelby Star Learn More{{/message}}. Our staff is committed to providing Buncombe's diverse population with effective services in a timely and respectful manner. A laterindependent investigationinto Moore Countys Department of Social Services revealed that overworked caseworkers did not visit the mother as they were supposed to, and the department did not properly supervise its caseworkers to ensure they followed state law and policy, according to the Fayetteville Observer. For several months DSS did not produce confidential child welfare records for a criminal case after the DAs office sought them. Franklin. Your support funds important public interest journalism. If it is an emergency, an on-call social worker is available after regular business hours and weekends. She died during the winter, wearing only a T-shirt and her diaper. 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. Social Work Services: DSS - Buncombe County | Asheville Buncombe - DSS Jobs NC Stacie Saunders, Buncombe County's public health director, who is leaving her position at the end of the year for a state government role. Stanley said officers could search the room. At one point, the report says, she advised officers to leave the girl in the custody of Stanley.. Graham County DSS Ms. Amy Seay, Director 196 Knight Street Post Office Box 1150 Robbinsville, NC 28771 Tel. A CPP investigation nearly two years later found that the family had notified the Brevard Police Department. 1,900+ former CCS Students 19-22 years old-Set for Failure-Right Now!!! Officers discovered hundreds of used needles along with drugs in the room. The area is home to East Carolina University, Brody School of Medicine and Vidant Medical Center. Wrongful Termination and Breach of Contract!!! Jim Perry is so clueless: the purpose of an oversight committee is to provide oversight and rude. Buncombe County is basically my entire professional career at this point," Scott said. Upcoming articles in this series will examine the systemic problems that create challenges for child protective services in North Carolina and potential solutions. The experience is typically traumatic and humiliating. Police later claimed that they emailed information about the case to the Transylvania County Sheriffs Office. It is my taxes that go to CCS. State Government websites value user privacy. Email her at kmartin@carolinapublicpress.org. Sources report that the Cleveland County Commissioners have selected Katie Swanson from the Buncombe County DSS as the Director of the Cleveland County DSS. 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. Even after all the insider wheeling and dealing that made her the Interim Director to begin with. If you want to help us spread the word about signs of abuse, self-neglect or exploitation of elder adults or adults with disabilities, please consider hanging this poster somewhere in your community. Imari Scarbrough is a contributing writer to Carolina Public Press. I predict that in short time, if you dont agree with the CCS system which marches in step with Their Federal heros diversity bullshit, that DDS will take you to court. Carolina Public Press provides in-depth, investigative reporting on issues affecting Western North Carolina in a nonprofit, nonpartisan setting. Catherine Noyesis a grandmother who expresses frustration over the Cabarrus County Department of Social Services and courts handling of her familys case. 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. Once social workers take in a child, every interaction is supposed to be closely monitored. 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. Thank you for serving our children. Salary. As a retired CPS SWS, calls from APD and BCSO, were immediately responded to as a professional courtesy. However, even with the subpoena, a county spokeswoman said Blevins would be limited in what he could reveal about the specific incident. Buncombe County Health and Human Services Director Stoney Blevins sits at his desk in Asheville. Most of the allegations CPP has received from families are nearly impossible to substantiate. Even though the server responded OK, it is possible the submission was not processed. 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. Swanson is currently the Social Work Program Administrator for Buncombe County Health and Human Services where she provides . 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. 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. 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 Employee Directory Search (North Carolina) Within the room they found methamphetamine, other drugs and 200-300 used hypodermic needles, they said. Other cases require that they respond within 24 or 72 hours. A social worker ordered a family to banish the family dog, who had bitten no one. 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. A tangible sign of those things are the yearly audit, which Scott said he hopes will show no findings. To help people know where to go if they suspect maltreatment or self-neglect, this rack card was created by BCHHS. So, they did. 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. In 2020, police in Black Mountain pulled over a swerving car and arrested all three adults. In some cases, people may have kept enough records and can present a credible account shored up by documentation.