2022-Single Audit 01 Department of Social Services Title IV-E Adoption Assistance A sample of 40 children that received Title IV-E adoption subsidies during FY2022 was tested for compliance with the above criteria and the observations were noted below. ? 40 out of 40 children - Met the eligibilit...
2022-Single Audit 01 Department of Social Services Title IV-E Adoption Assistance A sample of 40 children that received Title IV-E adoption subsidies during FY2022 was tested for compliance with the above criteria and the observations were noted below. ? 40 out of 40 children - Met the eligibility requirements, had special needs that prevented them from being placed without a subsidy, and could not return home. ? 40 out of 40 children - RDSS made reasonable efforts to place the children without the subsidy or waived the requirement as it was not in the best interest of the child. ? 40 out of 40 children ? The adoption assistance agreements were signed prior to the final adoption decree, the authorized amounts were in line with the State?s rates, and payments were issued in accordance with the agreements. ? 9 out of 40 children ? Sufficient evidence of the completion of the required criminal background and child abuse and neglect registry checks for the adoptive parents and adult household members was not in the adoption case files. The home studies and report of investigations narrative indicated the required checks were completed for the adoptive parents and household members but did not identify when they occurred. Also, in some cases, it was not noted if the adoptive parents met the eligibility requirements for the criminal record checks. As such, the auditors were unable to confirm when the checks occurred, and supporting documentation was not provided prior to the completion of fieldwork. In addition, during the initial file review, documents such as court orders, negotiation documents, and annual affidavits were missing from some of the files. The Adoption Unit was ultimately able to retrieve and provide the missing items. However, an opportunity exists to improve the adoption case file documentation. Recommendations: ? We recommend that the Children, Families, and Adults (CFA) Deputy Director develop and implement a quality control process to ensure that the required documentation is maintained in the adoption case files. ? We recommend that the CFA Deputy Director develop and implement standard documentation requirements for documenting the completion of the background checks in the adoption case files. Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: n/a ? no disagreement Action planned/taken in response to finding: Audit Recommendation: We recommend that the Children, Families, and Adults (CFA) Deputy Director develop and implement a quality control process to ensure that the required documentation is maintained in the adoption case files. RDSS Corrective Action Plan: The Reunification and Permanency Program Manager or designee will conduct quarterly adoption case reviews using the VDSS Guidance Section 3.9.3 - Adoption Records. The quarterly case sample represents 10% of the case and all cases will be reviewed at least once annually. Any findings will be documented to include corrective actions, person responsible and timeframe for correction. The Reunification and Permanency Program Manager or designee will review cases to confirm corrections. Audit Recommendation: We recommend that the CFA Deputy Director develop and implement standard documentation requirements for documenting the completion of the background checks in the adoption case files. RDSS Corrective Action Plan: All RDSS Adoptions files must include the VDSS Adoption File Checklist and the child?s adoptive family documentation. The required adoptive parent documentation includes: o Criminal Background Check Results - Licensed Child Placing Agencies ( Non-Conviction and/or Conviction Letter); Local Department of Social Services (Office of Background Investigations Determination Letter) o Sworn Statement of Affirmation o Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry Check results for adoptive parent and adult household members. The Adoption and Resource Families Supervisors are responsible for monitoring compliance with documentation requirements for completion of the background checks, including insuring that documentation is requested from child ?placing agencies and third parties. Standard documentation requirements regarding background checks will be included in the quarterly review by the Reunification and Permanency Program Manager or designee. Name(s) of the contact person(s) responsible for corrective action: Brinette Jones, Deputy Director, Division Children, Families and Adults Lavinia Hopkins, Reunification and Permanency Program Manger Planned completion date for corrective action plan: Ongoing, beginning 2nd quarter 2023 If there are any questions regarding this plan, please contact Brinette Jones at (804) 646-4543.