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Social workers removed him from the foster care setting, but the family remained unclear about what happened to him next, they told CPP. Does the child feel safe? 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 . I thought we were waiting for them to copy the records.. Think about this, This is Our Place Cleveland County ! Asheville, NC 28802 12. Addison was placed in foster care in Transylvania County. Over time, many families have contacted Carolina Public Press about child protective services concerns. 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. Officers then called Buncombe County HHS. Raleigh, NC 27699-2000. You may remain anonymous but we encourage you to give us your name in the event additional information is needed. Strong confidentiality rules surround child protective services cases under both state and federal law, for the purpose of protecting the identity of the children. State Government websites value user privacy. Categories. 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. Social workers removed children seized over a mark from a supposed beating, even though there was no evidence of the mark. Some of them are likely true. 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. Volunteer for the HCCBG Advisory Committee! The server responded with {{status_text}} (code {{status_code}}). 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. CPPs news team analyzed data on child removals across North Carolina during the decade from 2010-19. 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. 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. Buncombe County Health and Human Services Director Stoney Blevins sits at his desk in Asheville. The DSS worker called back and asked him to help complete the intake report. Carolina Public Press contributing reporter Christian Green also assisted with interviews for this article. Most of the allegations CPP has received from families are nearly impossible to substantiate. When reached by police, a relative said he couldnt drive at night to pick her up. 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: You may also make the report in writing. 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. Phone: 828-250-5500 Work County. At one point, Noyes believed that an employee of DSS had an inappropriate previous professional relationship with a judge who handled the case. Your support means a lot! "The county is in a strong financial position, so I think it makes the work that we do easier.". Secure websites use HTTPS certificates. Shortly before DHHS discovered Cherokee County was using unlawful agreements to separate families, a report about a three-day visit to the department included dire concerns. Shortly before DHHS discovered Cherokee County was using unlawful agreements to separate families, a report about a three-day visit to the department included dire concerns. Its regretful there were some communications mishaps, said Cherokee County DSS DirectorAmanda McGeeina later interview on WKRK, a radio station in Murphy. Its just disturbing. Select a county on the map to view phone numbers, websites, physical addresses and mailing addresses. Post Office Box 7408. 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. It is important to screen cases correctly, or agencies risk violating parents constitutional rights to raise their children. 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. I told her I did not have time to do that, I had to find a safe place for the child. A good many are probably false or contain half-truths. ASHEVILLE - Buncombe County's Public Health. A CPP investigation nearly two years later found that the family had notified the Brevard Police Department. Veritas HHS With the support of readers like you, we provide thoughtfully researched articles for a more informed and connected community. But this left the question for the officers of how to help the girl, they said. Another Lawsuit Filed Against Cleveland Community College Board of Trustees!!! I ended the phone call." The General Assembly called Buncombe County Health and Human Services Director Stoney Blevins to testify about the . Mason Scott, 34, was hand-picked by Warn as his temporary successor. Or a family who had contacted CPP initially might not be able to talk now because of a settlement that included a nondisclosure agreement. 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. These records are tied into funding. 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. 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. They may think the system has wronged their families. Thank you for serving our children. Email her at kmartin@carolinapublicpress.org. 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. At the close of the hearing, Sen. Edwards asked Blevins if the same DSS worker handled both calls from the Black Mountain Police Department. . Director. The programs are housed in three separate locations. Blevins strongly disagreed with this last claim. But sometimes social workers fudge. With the support of readers like you, we provide thoughtfully researched articles for a more informed and connected community. A social worker ordered a family to banish the family dog, who had bitten no one. 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. Email her at kmartin@carolinapublicpress.org. [This story was originally published by Carolina Public Press.]. 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. 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. pigella miraculous ladybug power. Their stories were often shocking and always emotional. Some families accused DSS staff of generally playing God with peoples lives and acting in a conspiratorial manner. Its often impossible to know because the evidence surrounding child protective services is not available to the public. The police reported that an officer called Buncombe County DSS but thenhung up on the social worker. The Director serves as the executive officer of the county board of social services executing the authority of the board as defined in GS 108A14. But Zahra was never removed from the family. I can promise you, I would be better served to speak to you about the things youre asking me, Blevins said. Please read on to understand the state statute and Social Work Services responsibility. Officers located needles on the beds, the nightstands, TV stand and the bathroom. 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. County Social Services Director Work Type Directors and Program Managers Position Number 221-16-0001 Salary $72,892 - $109,338 Closing Date May 10, 2021 Posted April 23, 2021 Agency Name Mitchell County Department of Social Services Work County Mitchell Job Contact Pitt County is approximately 90 miles east of Raleigh NC with a population of 180,742. Social workers are supposed to try to make these contacts regularly. While Blevins said the states juvenile code forbade him from providing specifics about the March incident, he had a lot to say about improving the states child welfare system. Do you have concerns about a disabled adult who is either living in the community or in a licensed facility? Adoptions in North Carolina cannot be reversed. On March 20, police in Black Mountain pulled over a car that was swerving over the white line. 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. Your email address will not be published. The Director is responsible for a budget of over $350 million dollars including Medicaid and Food Stamp benefits and slightly over 300 employees. 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. Visit RelayNCfor information about TTY services. Carolina Public Press provides in-depth, investigative reporting on issues affecting Western North Carolina in a nonprofit, nonpartisan setting. 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. Carolina Public Press has confirmed that there was a subpoena. A horrific child sex abuse case in Cherokee County two years ago included a puzzling delay by DSS officials in cooperating with prosecutors. Catherine Noyesis a grandmother who expresses frustration over the Cabarrus County Department of Social Services and courts handling of her familys case. Granville County DSS Did you like this story? Other cases require that they respond within 24 or 72 hours. Reporting like this isnt free to produce and we cannot do this alone. Customer Service Center:1-800-662-7030 "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. Protection of the Abused, Neglected or Exploited Disabled Adult Act is located under Statute 108A Article 6. No appointment is needed. Thank you! Officers told her they might take him to jail and sarcastically asked if he should leave the girl alone in the hotel room. There were needles under the seats and in the door pockets of the car. Secure websites use HTTPS certificates. 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. Granville County DSS They visit the parents, then write down what they say. 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. Our staff is committed to providing Buncombe's diverse population with effective services in a timely and respectful manner. After children return to the home, social workers stay in touch to make sure they are safe. 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. Angry and desperate parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles have contacted Carolina Public Press for years hoping to share their stories and possibly get help in investigating what went wrong with their families experiences with child protective services in North Carolina counties. Throughout the hearing Blevins lauded Buncombe Countys DSS office as a model for other counties. 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. Noyes said she continues to work with her daughter to regain custody of the children but has become disappointed by the process. I didnt realize there was a significant problem. A week later, the mother of two was found dead in a New Jersey motel room. 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. 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. I can understand why a lot of people give up and stop fighting because, one, youre fighting a hard system, and two, you cant afford it, she said. The state and counties, which implement state and federal policies at a local level, need to commit to make the changes, he said. She was concerned the children could be injured if he attacked her. Closing Date. But the grandmother said she could not care for Addison, Reeves younger child, at that time. Address: 40 Coxe Ave., Asheville, NC 28801, NC Department of Health and Human Services Frank Taylor is the managing editor of Carolina Public Press. And yet, I do not see proof that weve implemented the plans that have been made.. Fax Number: 828-250-6235 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. 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. A legislative study has shown that intake procedures differ widely among counties throughout North Carolina. Sports:What's new with Memorial Stadium? A lock icon or https:// means youve safely connected to the official website. 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. 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. The Purpose of Buncombe County Health and Human Services is to strengthen our communities by advancing health, safety, and opportunity. But the map also shows that the high and very high counties mostly cluster geographically, as do the low and very low counties. 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. If you cant answer because you dont know or you can answer because you refuse to under some other authority, Edwards said. 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. Related:After first clean audit in 4 years, Buncombe County again has 'significant deficiency', County Government:Buncombe County Commissioners discuss affordable housing, cryptocurrency, finances, "We can never really know what a particular environment will look like in any given year, but I lean to those relationships, so maintaining trust and communication both within and outside the organization," he said. Please contact the developer of this form processor to improve this message. Buncombe County Employee Directories are records of the contact details for government staff in Buncombe County, North Carolina. (Health and Human Services) is a creation of this body, the fine men and women who were here long before me, and the only purpose of having an oversight committee is to provide oversight.. 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. This will reduce capacity to one active hopper and operational delays should be expected. Its often impossible to know because the evidence surrounding child protective services is not available to the public. Edwards said he has been unable to get straight answers out of Blevins even after a conversation. 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. In December 2022, just one month before he was appointed to the interim position on Jan. 25, Scott was promoted to assistant finance director. A week later, the mother of two was found dead in a New Jersey motel room. 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. Police arrested all three adults after saying they found drugs and used needles, according to the report. If a judge releases the record, the judge can release a record to whatever parties they choose to, Blevins said. I can understand why a lot of people give up and stop fighting because, one, youre fighting a hard system, and two, you cant afford it, she said. Raleigh, NC 27699-2000. Swanson is currently the Social Work Program Administrator for Buncombe County Health and Human Services where she provides . Police later claimed that they emailed information about the case to the Transylvania County Sheriffs Office. 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. Time and again, though, lawmakers tried to turn the conversation back toward the specific case. CPP then mapped these comparison percentages, marking distinctly those at the extremes. In a case of suspected abuse in a foster care setting, DSS is obligated to notify law enforcement. The officer wrote in his report, "I told her I did not have time to do that, I had to find a safe place for the child. At times he was asked his thoughts on how to improve the states child welfare system. Her trailer had no heat, according to statements to law enforcement. 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. 2001 Mail Service Center Henderson County resident Felicia Reeves disappeared in August 2015. 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. To learn more, view our full privacy policy. Even though the server responded OK, it is possible the submission was not processed. 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. Salary. 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. 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. 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. The police reported that an officer called Buncombe County DSS but then hung up on the social worker. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. Police called Buncombe DSS, and a county DSS worker told a police officer to leave the girl in the custody of a man she did not know in a hotel room filled with used drug needles, according to the police report. {{#message}}{{{message}}}{{/message}}{{^message}}Your submission failed. Not long afterward, he died of an overdose. I thought I had faith in it, but I dont anymore.. The School Board works for me. 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. Pitt County, designated in 2020 as an All-American County by the National Civic League, is located in the central portion of the Coastal Plain. This is your chance to support credible, community-based, public-service journalism. The officer wrote in his report, I told her I did not have time to do that, I had to find a safe place for the child.