Editors note: This is part 2 of the four-part investigative series Patchwork Protection. Part 1 appeared June 7. 2001 Mail Service Center Address: 40 Coxe Ave., Asheville, NC 28801 The Purpose of Buncombe County Health and Human Services is to strengthen our communities by advancing health, safety, and opportunity. Inside were three adults and a 9-year-old girl, the police report of the traffic stop says. This report has not been officially . I thought I had faith in it, but I dont anymore.. 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. These records are tied into funding. Social workers removed him from the foster care setting, but the family remained unclear about what happened to him next, they told CPP. Many of the counties with very low rates or rates in the middle also experience poverty. 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. I mean you cant get back the last couple years of these little children, you know.. And some economically advantaged counties may also cluster with high or low removal rates. Each of North Carolina's 100 counties has a local social services agency. Buncombe County DSS has since changed its procedures, Blevins told Carolina Public Press last month. 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. Im so disgusted with the system. 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. 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. CPPs news team analyzed data on child removals across North Carolina during the decade from 2010-19. Lets start meeting and talking and get ready to kick these rats out. And Im willing to have that conversation if this body is willing to take that action.. I can promise you, I would be better served to speak to you about the things youre asking me, Blevins said. Your support funds important public interest journalism. He is earning a salary of $102,755.32, according to a public records request. Legislators grill Buncombe DSS director, who disputes Black Mountain In a case of suspected abuse in a foster care setting, DSS is obligated to notify law enforcement. #828-479-7911 Fax #828-479-7928 Courier Number: 08-40-02. Select acountyon the mapto view phone numbers, websites, physical addressesand mailing addresses. 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. Cheri Wood, 828-250-6340 The police reported that an officer called Buncombe County DSS but thenhung up on the social worker. Email her at kmartin@carolinapublicpress.org. 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. Upcoming articles in this series will examine the systemic problems that create challenges for child protective services in North Carolina and potential solutions. 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. 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. But Zahra was never removed from the family. Think about this, This is Our Place Cleveland County ! A tangible sign of those things are the yearly audit, which Scott said he hopes will show no findings. 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.. The City of Greenville is the county seat. The boys deathspurred lawmakers to action, and the General Assembly approved a package of major reforms with strong bipartisan support. State law also allows DSS offices to disclose records to prosecutors without court orders, said Sara DePasquale, an associate professor specializing in child welfare law at the UNC School of Government, two years ago. 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. 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. A state legislative committee has voted to subpoena Buncombe Countys Health and Human Services director to get answers as to why a social worker thought it was appropriate to leave a 9-year-old girl in the company of a man she didnt know in a hotel room filled with drugs and hundreds of used hypodermic needles. 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. CPP then mapped these comparison percentages, marking distinctly those at the extremes. Henderson County residentFelicia Reevesdisappeared in August 2015. Why didnt DSS show up on the scene? Carolina Public Press provides in-depth, investigative reporting on issues affecting Western North Carolina in a nonprofit, nonpartisan setting. It was unclear whether photos documenting bruises were taken immediately or later, but they showed far less bruising than the family remembered seeing. These are my Children that attend school. What's new with Memorial Stadium? A project supported by The California Endowment, Protection of NC children, families depends on the county, Structure of NC child protective services leads to inequity, NC could look to other states for potential child welfare reforms, Blevins could not confirm or deny anything, died while under supervision by county DSS. 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. Thank you! The 2020 Elections can put an end to that. The parents used intravenous drugs in the presence of their children and failed to provide adequate nutrition and hygiene, the indictments said. Officers traveled to the hotel room and talked with Stanley, the report says. But the grandmother said she could not care for Addison, Reeves younger child, at that time. She wasnt sure why that didnt happen in Addisons case, and privacy laws prevented her from discussing the details. 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. The DSS agent who had documented the abuse in foster care no longer worked there by this time. When CPP brought the case to the attention of deputies in 2016, they conducted an investigation. Its just disturbing. Once social workers take in a child, every interaction is supposed to be closely monitored. 40 Coxe Avenue. If you have an update to county agency information, please email dssweb@dhhs.nc.gov. 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. Police later claimed that they emailed information about the case to the Transylvania County Sheriffs Office. A social worker ordered a family to banish the family dog, who had bitten no one. 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 Its often impossible to know because the evidence surrounding child protective services is not available to the public. Post Office Box 7408. But even in some of these cases, legal counsel may ultimately advise them not to discuss the situation further. 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. With the support of readers like you, we provide thoughtfully researched articles for a more informed and connected community. A week later, the mother of two was found dead in a New Jersey motel room. 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. But Reeves death was only part of the case. Addison was placed in foster care in Transylvania County. New DSS Director Selected-Katie Swanson from Buncombe County!! Social workers removed children seized over a mark from a supposed beating, even though there was no evidence of the mark. You may also make the report in writing. 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. 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. Buncombe County DSS Mr. Stoney Blevins, Director 828-250-5588. Throughout the hearing Blevins lauded Buncombe Countys DSS office as a model for other counties. I didnt realize there was a significant problem. 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. DIRECTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY DEPARTMENTS OF SOCIAL SERVICES Last At times he was asked his thoughts on how to improve the states child welfare system. 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. Visit RelayNCfor information about TTY services. But others include the major Piedmont metro areas, which have some of the highest populations. P: (828) 250-5800. Colby Rabon / Carolina Public Press Their stories were often shocking and always emotional. Reporting like this isnt free to produce and we cannot do this alone. In 2020, police in Black Mountain pulled over a swerving car and arrested all three adults. Customer Service Center: 1-800-662-7030 Visit RelayNC for information about TTY services. Granville County DSS A CPP investigation nearly two years later found that the family had notified the Brevard Police Department. Additional Information Performs other duties as assigned by the Supervisor, the Income Maintenance Administrator and the Director. Printable DSS Directory 0 miles away. 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. She told the police she wanted to go home. But the Sheriffs Office had no record of it. While Blevins was able to speak to the accuracy, or lack thereof, in a Black Mountain police report regarding the case, he skirted the details known to him and his social workers because state law requires a judges ruling to give specifics of a confidential case, he told lawmakers. 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. In nearly 1-in-4 of North Carolinas 100 counties, child welfare workers consider outside guidance in addition to statewide policy for child welfare cases, the report said. 40 Coxe Avenue 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. Her trailer had no heat, according to statements to law enforcement. 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. But it took years for one young child to disclose what happened to her in the home. Buncombe County Employee Directory Search (North Carolina) Carolina Public Press contributing reporter Christian Green also assisted with interviews for this article. Buncombe County Employee Directories are records of the contact details for government staff in Buncombe County, North Carolina. It was unclear whether photos documenting bruises were taken immediately or later, but they showed far less bruising than the family remembered seeing. GPS Latitude: 35.597763. Buncombe director won't comply with subpoena about girl, hotel, needles Within the room they found methamphetamine, other drugs and 200-300 used hypodermic needles, they said. Learn More{{/message}}, {{#message}}{{{message}}}{{/message}}{{^message}}It appears your submission was successful. The purpose of intake questions is to determine how urgently a case needs the governments attention. But sometimes social workers fudge. This is your chance to support credible, community-based, public-service journalism. 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. I told her I did not have time to do that, I had to find a safe place for the child. Blevins said he cant talk about specific child welfare cases because of confidentiality laws. 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 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. Buncombe - DSS Jobs NC GPS Longitude:-82.548709. County Center - Transfer Station Repair Project May Cause Possible Delays The state and counties, which implement state and federal policies at a local level, need to commit to make the changes, he said. 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. 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. Stories Recount Concerns With DSS Agencies Across North Carolina Although she filed a complaint, she said it was not taken seriously. Job Contact. Almost every one of those studies says essentially the same thing; the recommendations are pretty much the same, Blevins told the committee. The area is home to East Carolina University, Brody School of Medicine and Vidant Medical Center. Strong confidentiality rules surround child protective services cases under both state and federal law, for the purpose of protecting the identity of the children. Carolina Public Press has confirmed that there was a subpoena. Buncombe DSS Director Stonewalls Legislative Oversight Committee 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. 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. County Vacancy Announcements - NCACDSS Im so disgusted with the system. 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. Zahra Baker was a native of Australia who lived in Catawba County with her father and stepmother. Kellie Branche. Your support funds important public interest journalism. Police arrested all three adults after saying they found drugs and used needles, according to the report. I thought we were waiting for them to copy the records.. Noyes said she continues to work with her daughter to regain custody of the children but has become disappointed by the process. During visitation with the family in 2014, they noticed marks on him, which led to a Department of Social Services investigation. In Buncombe County you can make a Protective Service referral or report by calling (828) 250-5800 anytime, day or night. #828-479-7911 Fax #828-479-7928 Courier Number: 08-40-02. Their stories were often shocking and always emotional. County Police Department, Asheville, NC - 35 Woodfin St. - Social Kate Martin is lead investigative reporter for Carolina Public Press. Office Assistant III-FNS - DSS Jobs NC I ended the phone call.. Will Asheville City Soccer Club still play there? The Purpose of Buncombe County Health and Human Services is to strengthen our communities by advancing health, safety, and opportunity. Ideally, when social workers conduct their monthly home visits, they look for changes in the home. He was making a salary of $161,785.44, according to a public records request. With the support of readers like you, we provide thoughtfully researched articles for a more informed and connected community.
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