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Minutes Children Services Committee Meeting November 3, 2004 |
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1. Review Agenda, Approve Minutes and Set New Agenda Items |
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Present: Donn Gunderson, Karen Hoyle, Adrian Daye, Bertram Wilson, Lee Roberts, Judi Akers, June Koenig, Kristy Preston, Patty St. Hilaire, Denise Shaffer, Lisa Robertson, Sam Haithcock, Denise Clemmer, John Carroll, Karen Adams, Tracy Turner, Vondrena Gore, Laura Chntapalli, Velvet Perdue, Davis gordon, Adolph Simmons, Sara Mims, Laura Elmore, Tony Troop, Loretta Keelin, Rita Bland, Karen Thurman, Marva Scott, Amelia Lance, JoAnn Lamm |
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Conclusion: Agenda was reviewed and approved with the addition of reviewing proposed legislation for an appeal process. Minutes from the October 13, 2004 meeting were considered. Denise Shaffer moved the minutes be approved as mailed. Karen Thurman seconded and the motion carried unanimously. |
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Action Items: • None |
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2. Proposed Legislation Establishing Appeal Process for Perpetrators Listed on Central Registry |
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Discussion: JoAnn Lamm informed the Committee of the Federal Government's directive requiring each state to establish a formal appeal process for person's having their names listed on the state's central registry of abuse, neglect and dependency cases. David Gordon, Child Welfare Attorney, presented the proposed legislation. This is for information purposes only. The legislation will be brought back to the Committee for approval at a later date. To summarize, a new Central Registry will be established with the passage of the legislation. Information on the current Central Registry would remain protected. Appeal process would require Director to give written notification to perpetrator of abuse or neglect within 5 working days of completion of investigation. Notification must include perpetrator's right to appeal and explanation of the appeal process. Alleged perpetrator would have to request the appeal in writing within 15 days. Director would then have to review the record and render a decision within 15 days. If Director finds there is sufficient evidence to support the finding of abuse or neglect the Director shall file a juvenile petition. If the Director does not find sufficient evidence to support finding the Director shall contact the Department to expunge the person's name from the perpetrator list. Questions from Committee members included, how many states have a formal appeal process and has the Department estimated the potential cost? Committee also asked to have the legislation read 15 busines days instead of 15 calendar days. |
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Conclusion: JoAnn will take back to DHHS and will bring back to the Committee at a later date. David Gordon will work on changing the legislation to reflect 15 business days instead of 15 calendar days. JoAnn will put forward the proposed legislation just to get in on the calendar with the understanding that it can always be pulled back. |
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Action Items: • None |
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3. CPS Invesigations in Child care Settings |
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Discussion: Laura Elmore presented proposed changes to the child care investigations policy that would eliminate one form, the present Case Decision Summary, and replace it with the existing form, Case Decision Summary/Initial Case Plan. This form will have to be faxed to DCD within 7 days of the completion of the investigation instead of 30 days. As preschool and before and after school programs are now being licensed through DCD, these programs will now be subject to CPS investigations by DSS. DCD staff reported to the Division that they do not believe the policy will have a fiscal impact on DSS as they could only recall one of the above setting s that have been investigated. There was general consensus within the Committee that there would be an impact as day care investigations take a great deal of time due to having to see all children in their homes. Committee asked JoAnn to put forward a legislative change that would require only the victim children to be seen in their home. Committee also aked to have some counties pilot the new policy to determine fiscal impact. |
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Conclusion: Alamance, Bladen, Craven, Franklin and Onslow counties volunteered to pilot the program. JoAnn will bring back to the Committee at a later date. |
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4. Questions and Answers Regarding Intake Report |
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Discussion: Laura reviewed the Question and Answer document developed by the Division regarding Questions and Answers for the DSS 1402 Intake Form. The Question and Answer document and changed tools will be sent out to the counties with an Administrative letter. |
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Conclusion: |
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Action Items: • None |
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5. Sexual Abuse Screening Tool |
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Discussion: JoAnn reviewed changes to the Sexual Abuse Screening Tool Directions. |
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Conclusion: |
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Action Items: • None |
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6. Update on AOC Criminal Records Checks |
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Discussion: Adolph reviewed the schedule of implementation for access to AOC Criminal Record Checks. Training must be completed at AOC site with AOC staff. Twenty-two counties have been trained to date. Each agency will received an Agrement of Understanding with their training packet. The Agreement needs to be signed and returned to AOC within 5 days. |
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Conclusion: |
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7. Protocol on Inter-County Adoptions |
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Discussion: Donn asked JoAnn to bring information to the Committee due to at least one county not receiving vital information on an adoption case. JoAnn presented a handout with information that is contained within Chapter V-Cross County Issues and information contained in Chapter VI, Section 1301 of the adoption manual. JoAnn stressed the Division would welcome any comments or suggestions regarding this issue. |
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Conclusion: It was recommended and JoAnn agreed the Division would add language th clarify the sharing of information is to include all medical reports, psychologicals etc. |
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Action Items: • |
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8. Electronic Posting of Adoption Summaries |
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Discussion: JoAnn reported the Division has asked NC Kids to submit their opinions as to the positives and negatives in regards to electronic posting of adoption summaries. CWS attorneys are also going to provide feedback. |
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Conclusion: JoAnn will bring back to Committee at a later date. |
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Action Items: • |
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